Glasgow City Council has confirmed that cleaning and repair expenses for George Square following Rangers fans’ title celebrations will cost at least £58,000.
STV News understands the bill will likely rise in part due to the specialist work required to carry out repairs on statues at the site.
It includes damage to a statue of Queen Victoria which failed a ‘topple test’ following examination, while metal columns on the plinth of the Prince Albert were also damaged.
SNS GroupThe costs are set to be absorbed into the council’s current budget.
It comes after thousands of Rangers fans gathered in George Square, having marched from Ibrox following their team’s title ceremony at the stadium earlier this month.
Police Scotland has previously stated that it is “doing everything possible” to identify those responsible for the violence and disorder which resulted in five officers being injured and 28 arrests being made.
A spokesman for the council said: “A substantial clear-up operation was required in George Square following the events of May 15.
“A huge amount of rubbish was lifted, glass from thousands of broken bottles removed and substantial amounts of graffiti cleaned away.
“Hundreds of plants were also destroyed, scaffolding and traffic lights damaged, benches and security fences broken beyond repair and lighting for the Sir Walter Scott column smashed up.”
The spokesman continued: “In the immediate aftermath of the events of May 15, we deployed some 80 members of staff to undertake an initial clear-up and they worked throughout that first night to put the square back in some kind of order for the rest of the city.
“But work continued throughout the following week and has still to conclude.
“We have also checked all the statues in the square and found that the statues of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert require significant repairs.
“The Queen Victoria statue failed a topple test and is now fenced off to protect it from any further damage.
“These two statues are priceless sculptures that are emblematic of Glasgow’s proud history and will now require skilled restoration work.”
He added: “Those responsible for trashing George Square on May 15 have dumped a massive bill on Glasgow and then simply walked away.
“The complete lack of regard and respect they showed for Glasgow’s main civic space on May 15 is a source of deep dismay and disappointment.”
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