Greenpeace activists abseil from Forth Road Bridge to stop gas tanker

Protesters have suspended themselves from the Forth 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 protesters 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.

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.

“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.”