Forth Road Bridge closed as 10 Greenpeace activists hang from ropes
The group said it wanted to block an Ineos tanker carrying fracked gas to the Grangemouth industrial site further up the Firth of Forth.
Greenpeace said its international team wished to protest the production of plastics and the impact they have on the environment.
The activists suspended themselves using ropes and are about 25 metres from the water level at high tide.
They have a support team on the bridge itself and on the water, with the group saying they plan to stay in place for 24 hours – using hammocks to make themselves comfortable if they need to.
Greenpeace spokeswoman Amy Cameron told the PA news agency: 'The world's in the grip of a serious plastics pollution crisis, and in the UK the biggest plastic producer is Ineos.
'At the Grangemouth site they produce enough plastic every day to make 60 million plastic bottles.'
They said petrochemical companies like Ineos are blocking progress for an international agreement on plastics.
She added: 'We are here today to say that if you're going to try and block the plastics treaty, we're going to block you.'
Ms Cameron said she expected the protest to be 'safe and peaceful', and precautions had been taken, adding: 'From our perspective, we don't think there's any need for the police to be here.'
Asked about any disruption for travellers, she said: 'It's definitely not our intention to cause any disruption to any member of the public.
'Our climbers have access to bridge via the pedestrian walkway, which is separated from the roads – which is separated from the roads.
'So there was no need to close the road bridge, if that's a decision that Police Scotland have taken, then that's their decision.'
Police Scotland said they were alerted at 1.05pm and officers were 'engaged with those involved'. The public were asked to avoid the area.
The bridge is one of three crossing the Firth of Forth in central Scotland which links Edinburgh to Fife.
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The Forth Road Bridge has been closed to traffic after 10 Greenpeace activists suspended themselves from the structure in order to block a tanker. The group said it wanted to block an Ineos tanker carrying fracked gas to the Grangemouth industrial site further up the Firth of Forth. Greenpeace said its international team wished to protest the production of plastics and the impact they have on the environment. The activists suspended themselves using ropes and are about 25 metres from the water level at high tide. They have a support team on the bridge itself and on the water, with the group saying they plan to stay in place for 24 hours – using hammocks to make themselves comfortable if they need to. Greenpeace spokeswoman Amy Cameron told the PA news agency: 'The world's in the grip of a serious plastics pollution crisis, and in the UK the biggest plastic producer is Ineos. 'At the Grangemouth site they produce enough plastic every day to make 60 million plastic bottles.' They said petrochemical companies like Ineos are blocking progress for an international agreement on plastics. She added: 'We are here today to say that if you're going to try and block the plastics treaty, we're going to block you.' Ms Cameron said she expected the protest to be 'safe and peaceful', and precautions had been taken, adding: 'From our perspective, we don't think there's any need for the police to be here.' Asked about any disruption for travellers, she said: 'It's definitely not our intention to cause any disruption to any member of the public. 'Our climbers have access to bridge via the pedestrian walkway, which is separated from the roads – which is separated from the roads. 'So there was no need to close the road bridge, if that's a decision that Police Scotland have taken, then that's their decision.' Police Scotland said they were alerted at 1.05pm and officers were 'engaged with those involved'. The public were asked to avoid the area. The bridge is one of three crossing the Firth of Forth in central Scotland which links Edinburgh to Fife.
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Police are urging people to avoid the area Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Police have closed the Forth Road Bridge to all vehicles due to a Greenpeace protest. An international team of Greenpeace activists have abseiled from the bridge to block an INEOS tanker from delivering its cargo of fracked American gas to the Grangemouth petrochemical facility. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Greenpeace climbers abseiled from beneath the bridge's service walkway, unfurling six giant 'Plastics Treaty Now' banners. Greenpeace say they will remain suspended 25 metres above the main shipping lane of the River Forth. They are supported by a rescue crew on the bridge and a boat team in the river below. Officers were called to reports of a protest around 1.05pm on Friday. They remain at the scene and engaging with those involved. Police said they are urging people to avoid the area. Police are urging people to avoid the area. | Luca Marino / Greenpeace Greenpeace protest comes during Trump visit A Greenpeace spokesperson added: 'The 10 climbers are confronting the giant INEOS tanker 'INDEPENDENCE'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The vessel spent the last 10 days crossing the Atlantic carrying 27,500 cubic metres of ethane bound for Grangemouth where it will be used by INEOS in the production of virgin plastic. 'The Greenpeace protest comes during Donald Trump's visit to Scotland. 'Over the past three years, INEOS Energy has made investments exceeding $3bn in the US oil and gas sector, and the US petrochemicals industry is investing heavily in new chemical and plastics production projects. 'Like INEOS, US Fossil Fuel giants are attempting to weaken the Global Plastics Treaty to avoid caps on virgin plastic production.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The protestors are supported by a rescue crew on the bridge and a boat team in the river below. | Luca Marino / Greenpeace Meanwhile, Traffic Scotland is advising drivers to use the Queensferry Crossing due to the incident. More updates to follow.
