A group of protestors have abseiled from the Forth Road Bridge to block a tanker delivering cargo as the route has been closed off by police.

Shortly after 1pm police were made aware of a protest on the bridge connecting Edinburgh and Fife. Images from the scene show several people suspended from the bridge holding banners.

Greenpeace activists are behind the protest and say they are blocking an INEOS tanker delivering cargo of American gas to Grangemouth petrochemical facility.

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A spokesperson for Greenpeace says the protest is aimed at INEOS, owned by billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who are the UK’s biggest plastics manufacturer. They claim the company is opposing efforts by UN member states to curb plastic pollution.

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 per cent by 2040, and for the UN to exclude lobbyists from INEOS and other fossil fuels companies from the treaty negotiations.

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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.”

Those suspended from the Forth Road Bridge are reportedly ‘highly-trained climbers’ and have unveiled six giant ‘plastic treaty now’ banners, According to the group, the protestors will remain suspended 25 metres above the shipping lane, preventing the tanker from reaching port.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “The Forth Road Bridge is closed due to a protest reported to us around 1.05pm on Friday, 25 July. Officers are in attendance and engaging with those involved. Please avoid the area.”

Traffic Scotland added: “Users of the Forth Road Bridge are advised to use the Queensferry Crossing at this time due to a police incident. Further updates as we get them.”