Silly swan causes chaos on Glasgow Road
A dozy bird brought the east end of Paisley to a standstill yesterday when it wandered onto busy Glasgow Road.
Jeff Holmes
Get the latest Renfrewshire stories sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter
Traffic was backed up to Paisley Grammar School as cops tried to shepherd the wayward swan back into Barshaw Park – but it was having none of it.
And motorists coming out of both Hawkhead Road and Arkleston Road were forced to wait until the long-necked bird had decided it was time to head for home.
Robert Girvan, from Foxbar, called the Express office to say he had been stuck in heavy traffic for almost half-an-hour – but found the whole thing rather amusing.
The 57-year-old said: "At first I didn't know what the hold-up was, but when I found out it was a swan I did have a chuckle.
"I wasn't in any hurry so when I got a bit closer to the 'action', I just sat in my car and lapped up the entertainment!
"I did feel a bit sorry for the policewoman who had been charged with getting the swan back into the park, because it wasn't for budging.
"As far as I know, swans are protected species so all you can do is hope they decide to head off in the right direction.
"It's amazing, though, how one little bird can cause so many problems in such a short space of time."
By rights, cops should have called the feathered friend Her Majesty the Queen, as she owns all the swans in the United Kingdom!
As an endangered species, swans are protected by the Queen's charter, and belong to Her Majesty under a law dating back many centuries.
Inspector Jane Harley, of Police Scotland, said: "Road police officers were quickly on the scene and returned the swan to safety, limiting any disruption or danger to drivers."
West DunbartonshireCampaign launched to recruit children's panel volunteers in West DunbartonshireChildren's Hearings Scotland (CHS) is aiming to recruit 40 trainee panel members from the Dunbartonshire area, who will support children and young people.
Family of schoolboy Devin Gordon will miss their "precious boy" every day
West LothianDevin (13) passed away on Wednesday and his family and teachers say he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him
Binge drinker sentenced for unprovoked attack on woman in Perth
Perthshire NewsPerth Sheriff Court heard Ross Fenty (22) hit the woman so hard she fell backwards onto the ground and later had to undergo a CT scan to check the severity of her injuries
Jason Leitch admits he is sent 'extreme' emails from the public over coronavirus restrictions
CoronavirusScotland's clinical director made the case for a gradual ending of remaining restrictions to reassure Scots who were previously shielding.
Perthshire SportPerthshire skier Charlie Guest selected to represent Great Britain at Winter OlympicsGuest, from St Martins, will head to Beijing in strong form after a number of top World Cup performances
Hibs react to Martin Boyle transfer exit as star man joins Al-Faisaly in money-spinning deal
Martin BoyleThe 28-year-old has penned a long-term deal to star in the Saudi Pro League.
Lanarkshire man jailed for spitting blood and phlegm at a police officer
Lanarkshire CrimeThe bodily fluids landed on the officer's head, hair and body
St Mirren teenager Jay Henderson reveals top inspirations after breakthrough goal
St Mirren FCThe Buddies winger has started the club's last three Premiership games and scored the opener at Tannadice on Tuesday night.