The Organising Committee revealed last week that it will bring down five of the six remaining Red Road blocks of flats, which have shaped the city's skyline for five decades, as the Games get underway on July 23, with footage of the demolition to be screened live at Celtic Park as part of the celebrations.

It claimed the move would be symbolic of regeneration and renewal, while demonstrating that Glasgow is changing for the better, however, thousands of people disagree and have opposed the plans in the petition, which is addressed to Glasgow City Council and Sports and Commonwealth Games Minister Shona Robison.

"Stop the plan to demolish Red Road flats as part of Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony," reads the online petition started by Carolyn Leckie, a former Socialist Member of Scottish Parliament.

"The homes and communities of families should be demolished with dignity.

"If the flats are not fit for 'human' habitation, the message to the residents (asylum seeking families) in the remaining block is that they are not human enough to deserve decent housing."

The Red Road blocks of flats were due to be demolished later this year but the move by Glasgow 2014 has been branded as insensitive ©AFP/Getty Images


The demolition of the 30-storey Glasgow Housing Association (GHA)-owned 1960s flats, which have suffered decades of decline and become associated with anti-social behaviour and crime, was already planned for later this year.

Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, claimed last week the demolition "will all but mark the end of high-rise living in the area and is symbolic of the changing face of Glasgow".

GHA also said that demolishing the five flats in one go will minimise disruption to the some 900 local residents, who will have to leave their homes.

Those set to be evacuated have been offered free passes to view the explosion at local venues - a move that has been branded as insensitive.

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