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Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Arrests made after protesters hang off Forth Road Bridge to halt gas tanker in major demo
ACTIVISTS NICKED Arrests made after protesters hang off Forth Road Bridge to halt gas tanker in major demo Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEN arrests have been made following a Greenpeace demonstration on the Forth Road Bridge. Activists shut down the bridge in South Queensferry, near Edinburgh, yesterday afternoon - hours before Donald Trump touched down in Scotland. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Greenpeace has said its activists have been arrested after a major demo Credit: Andrew Barr 4 The group suspended themselves from the bridge using ropes Credit: Andrew Barr Greenpeace activists suspended themselves from the bridge in order to block a tanker carrying fracked gas, which was headed for the INEOS petrochemical plant at nearby Grangemouth. Emergency crews raced to the scene after the alarm was raised at around 1.05pm as cops received reports of a protest starting to build. That was after the group suspended themselves from the bridge using ropes, ending up about 25 metres above the water level at high tide. Police have now confirmed that 10 people have been nicked. Five men, aged between 35 and 40, and five women, aged between 25 and 42, were arrested in connection. The bridge is currently still closed. Climate campaigners from Greenpeace confirmed that 10 activists abseiled from the huge 156m bridge to block an INEOS tanker. It spent 10 days travelling across the Atlantic to deliver a cargo of 27,000 cubic meters of fracked American gas to the petrochemical facility in Grangemouth. And it happened the day that President Donald Trump touched down in Scotland for his four-day visit. The US President, 79, arrived aboard Air Force One at around 8.30pm last night. BBC Comedian Susan Riddell Charged After Defence Factory Incident in Edinburgh Greenpeace have said the protest is aimed at INEOS, which is the UK's biggest plastics manufacturer. Protesters unfurled six large red sky banners which read: "Plastics Treaty Now". They were also being supported by a rescue crew on the bridge and a boat team in the river below. This morning, Greenpeace announced it had ended the demonstration, saying they had "achieved what we set out to". The campaign group said its demonstration had prevented the Ineos tanker from delivering the gas for a full 24 hours, saying that the vessel could only travel to Grangemouth during high tides. As a result the specially trained activists began climbing down their ropes early on today. 4 Greenpeace have said the protest is aimed at INEOS, which is the UK's biggest plastics manufacturer Credit: Andrew Barr 4 Protesters unfurled six large red sky banners which read: "Plastics Treaty Now" Credit: © Luca Marino / Greenpeace Greenpeace said all 10 had descended safely and were voluntarily transported to Port Edgar in South Queensferry, where it said they were arrested by officers from Police Scotland on suspicion of culpable and reckless conduct. Amy Cameron, programme director at Greenpeace UK said: "We've achieved what we set out to. "By blocking Ineos, we've drawn global attention to the company's bottomless appetite for plastic production, false solutions and profit for its billionaire boss Jim Ratcliffe." In response yesterday, a statement from INEOS said: "Today's Greenpeace stunt is dangerous, disruptive, and entirely counterproductive. "It may grab headlines, but it does absolutely nothing to reduce plastic pollution or deliver real-world solutions." A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Ten people have been arrested following a protest on the Forth Road Bridge on Friday, 25 July, 2025. "The protest was reported to police around 1.05pm. "Five men, aged between 35 and 40, and five women, aged between 25 and 42, were arrested in connection and further enquiries are ongoing. "The bridge remains closed at this time."
STV News
5 days ago
- STV News
Ten arrested after Greenpeace activists hang from Forth Road Bridge
Ten people have been arrested after protesters suspended themselves from the Forth Road Bridge as part of a demonstration over plastic pollution. Police Scotland closed the bridge in South Queensferry to all traffic following reports of the protest around 1.05pm on Friday. Greenpeace say ten protesters suspended off the structure with the aim of stopping an INEOS tanker from reaching Grangemouth oil refinery. The Greenpeace climbers abseiled from beneath the bridge's service walkway, unfurling six giant 'Plastics Treaty Now' banners. Police confirmed on Saturday that ten people, five men aged between 35 and 40, and five women, aged between 25 and 42, were arrested in connection. Enquiries remain ongoing. A spokesperson said: 'Ten people have been arrested following a protest on the Forth Road Bridge on Fri, 25 July. The protest was reported to police around 1.05pm. 'Five men, aged between 35 and 40, and five women, aged between 25 and 42, were arrested in connection and further enquiries are ongoing.' On Saturday morning Greenpeace announced it had ended the demonstration, saying they had 'achieved what we set out to'. Amy Cameron, Programme Director at Greenpeace UK said: 'We've achieved what we set out to. By blocking INEOS, we've drawn global attention to the company's bottomless appetite for plastic production, false solutions and profit for its billionaire boss Jim Ratcliffe. 'Their feeble suggestion that recycling and managing waste can hand them a free pass to go on producing more plastic forever is laughable. It comes from the same industry playbook as the health benefits of smoking and carbon offsetting. Describing the 'plastic pollution problem' as being 'massive', she added: 'Less than 10% of plastic is currently recycled globally, and this is set to rise to just 17% by 2060, while the amount of plastic we're producing is set to triple. 'The only solution is to address the problem at source which means securing a strong global plastics treaty that imposes legally-binding caps on plastic production.' 'INEOS are cutting jobs at Grangemouth while trying to open a massive new plastics plant in Belgium, leaving Scottish workers high and dry. If Jim Ratcliffe really cared about skilled jobs in Scotland he'd invest his billions in supporting his workers to transition into the green industries of the future, instead of throwing money at Formula 1 racing teams and football clubs.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
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Scotsman
6 days ago
- General
- Scotsman
Police close Forth Road Bridge due to Greenpeace protest
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.
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Daily Record
Forth Road Bridge closed after Greenpeace activists hang off bridge in protest
Members of Greenpeace were filmed dangling from the World Heritage Site on Friday afternoon. Activists have been seen dangling from the Forth Road Bridge in a major protest against plastics. Members of Greenpeace were filmed abseiling from the World Heritage Site at 1.05pm on Friday. The bridge has been closed off as a result. Police Scotland confirmed officers are in attendance and are engaging with those involved. Greenpeace announced that the activity is to block an INEOS tanker from delivering its cargo of fracked American gas to the Grangemouth petrochemical facility. INEOS is the UK's biggest plastics manufacturer, producing between 30 and 35 billion (pellets) daily at its Grangemouth plant - enough to make 60 million plastic bottles. Amy Cameron, Programme Director at Greenpeace UK said: 'Plastic pollution has reached a crisis point: it's poisoning our land, seas, air, even our bodies. "The Global Plastics Treaty offers us a once in a generation chance to tackle the problem for good, so it's no surprise INEOS and its billionaire boss, Jim Ratcliffe, are doing everything they can to stop it. "Ratcliffe tries to distract us with sports teams and sponsorships, but we're not going to let him fill our planet with plastic, so he can fill his pockets with profit. "Ratcliffe is trying to block a strong Global Plastics Treaty, so today we're blocking him.'. The climbers abseiled from beneath the bridge's service walkway before unravelling multiple 'Plastics Treaty Now' banners. The group aim to leave them suspended 25 metres above the main shipping lane of the River Forth in order to prevent the tanker from reaching port with its cargo. Protestors are being supported by a rescue crew on the bridge and a boat team in the river below. A statement from Police Scotland reads: "The Forth Road Bridge is closed due to a protest reported to police around 1.05pm on Friday, 25 July. Officers are in attendance and engaging with those involved. Please avoid the area."
STV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
Greenpeace activists hang from Forth Road Bridge to stop gas tanker
Protestors have suspended themselves from the Fourth Road Bridge as part of a demonstration over plastic pollution. Police Scotland has closed the bridge in South Queensferry to all traffic following reports of the protest around 1.05pm on Friday. Greenpeace say ten protestors are suspended off the structure with the aim of stopping an INEOS tanker from reaching Grangemouth oil refinery. The campaign group intends to remain there for the next 24 hours. The Greenpeace climbers abseiled from beneath the bridge's service walkway, unfurling six giant 'Plastics Treaty Now' banners. Greenpeace The group says they will remain suspended 25 metres above the main shipping lane of the River Forth, preventing the tanker from reaching port. They are supported by a rescue crew on the bridge and a boat team in the river below. Amy Cameron, programme director at Greenpeace UK said: 'Plastic pollution has reached a crisis point: it's poisoning our land, seas, air, even our bodies. Greenpeace 'The Global Plastics Treaty offers us a once in a generation chance to tackle the problem for good, so it's no surprise INEOS and its billionaire boss, Jim Ratcliffe, are doing everything they can to stop it. 'Ratcliffe tries to distract us with sports teams and sponsorships, but we're not going to let him fill our planet with plastic, so he can fill his pockets with profit. Ratcliffe is trying to block a strong Global Plastics Treaty, so today we're blocking him.' The action comes less than a fortnight before governments meet in Geneva, Switzerland, for the sixth and final round of negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty. Greenpeace is calling for these talks to agree to a cut in global plastic production of at least 75% by 2040, and for the UN to exclude lobbyists from INEOS and other fossil fuels companies from the treaty negotiations. Road users are advised to use Queensferry Crossing. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: 'The Forth Road Bridge is closed due to a protest reported to us around 1.05pm on Friday, July 25. 'Officers are in attendance and engaging with those involved. 'Please avoid the area.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
