Road find boosts park objectors

Campaigners will hand in a 5,000 signature petition at Holyrood

Opponents of a tree-top adventure course in Glasgow's Pollok Park believe their campaign has been boosted by a recent archaeological discovery there.

A team from Glasgow University and Glasgow Archaeological Society have found what could be the city's oldest surviving road, dating back to 500BC.

The paved path, which is between 50m and 100m in length was found underneath vegetation and woodland in the park.

The proposed Go Ape adventure play area would see platforms and zip slides.

They would be placed in the trees near the Burrell Collection in the park.

There should have been a condition saying that the site should have been properly investigated before any application was granted Bob Marshall, Save Pollok Park

Members of the planning committee at Glasgow City Council voted in favour of the plan after a special meeting and visit to the site.

But the scheme has been referred to Scottish ministers because the city council has a financial interest in the venture.

Bob Marshall, of the Save Pollok Park group, said the significance of the road - which experts believe could date from between 500BC and 700BC - showed the council was wrong to back the controversial development.

He said: "There should have been a condition saying that the site should have been properly investigated before any application was granted.

"Once again the slapdash and sloppy nature of the council's planning process has been brought to light."

Campaigners are due to hand in a 5,000-strong signature petition against the development at Holyrood next week.