BBC'S Scotland Editor Sarah Smith spoke on Radio 4's Today Programme and warned of potential difficulties ahead for delegates of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). She highlighted that accommodation was stretched for the climate change conference due to it being held in the city centre, with an estimated 30,000 attendees. Due to this many delegates will not be in the centre and will commute to the conference.

       Ms Smith said that at least 3,000 delegates do not have accommodation yet and a planned rail strike could make travelling into the conference very difficult.

       Ms Smith said: "There are other really significant problems within the city on top of a possible embarrassment if Glasgow is not looking as spruce as it might when all these world leaders arrive.

       "30,000 people are expected to turn up for COP26.

       "That is an enormous amount of people to try and put right in the middle of a city, not where you would normally have these kinds of conferences.

       DON'T MISS: Britons demand tougher action on Insulate Britain

       "3,000 people that are coming still don't have accommodation."

       "We have got cruise liners parked on the Clyde being used as dormitories, gym halls and community centres being set up as emergency accommodation as well."

       Ms Smith noted that there were also issues regarding those commuting in for the event.

       She highlighted that an upcoming train strike could prove problematic for these delegates.

       "With delegates staying all over the place, as far as Edinburgh and Sterling where they can get hotels and other kinds of accommodation.

       "This means that a lot of people need to be coming into the city every day for the conference.

       "This would be enough of a strain on the motorway network if it weren't for the fact that there is a planned rail strike in the first week of this conference.

       "If there are no trains running between Edinburgh and Glasgow and everyone is on the motorways the congestion could be insane."

       Despite initial plans, the palace announced the Queen would no longer be attending in person.

       The palace statement said: "Following advice to rest, the Queen has been undertaking light duties at Windsor Castle.

       "Her Majesty has regretfully decided that she will no longer travel to Glasgow to attend the Evening Reception of COP26 on Monday, November 1.

       "Her Majesty is disappointed not to attend the reception but will deliver an address to the assembled delegates via a recorded video message."