Hands Over Our Forth

Update

Incredible turn out at Hands Over Our Forth! 1800 plus. A clear message to government, industry and the SNP ahead of their conference that Unconventional Gas is not wanted in Scotland! No Drilling! No Fracking! No UCG in Scotland!

When the news first broke last year that the unconventional gas industry had been awarded licenses that would lead to over 3,687 hectares (1) of the Firth of Forth being subjected to the experimental process of underground coal gasification. You’d have been forgiven for believing that UCG in the Forth was a done deal. For even though the environmental group WWF Scotland (2), amongst others, were quick to point out the obvious dangers to the environment from carrying out such a large scale operation. UCG was still omitted from the temporary moratorium on fracking in Scotland last year and license applications continued to be granted. The most recent of which covers an area near to East Wemyss, which was secured by Cluff Industries in April of this year (3) and which opens up a further 77kms to UCG.

But the thriving communities around the Firth of Forth…communities which span from Rosyth to Crieff in the North, to Boness through to North Berwick in the South…took action. They educated and informed themselves on the process of UCG. They asked questions, undertook thorough research into the potential effects of the process, while considering these effects on the geology of the area around the Forth in particular. They considered the extensive evidence of the effect of these industries on other communities to date. And their understanding in this respect has led them to answer the question of the future of UCG in the Forth for themselves…

The answer is No.

This decision has undoubtedly contributed to the Scottish government’s recent announcement that UCG is now officially included in the government’s temporary moratorium – and that no UK exploration company has been granted social license or community consent for drilling anywhere else in the UK to date.

These developments are significant, perhaps most importantly because there is now an acknowledgement on the part of the government that UCG like Fracking is unconventional, experimental and unprecedented. In other words industry representatives cannot reduce, hide or know for a ‘fact’ the implications of UCG for the communities that stand to be most affected by the process…nor reduce the voices and concerns of these communities by attempting to caricature or belittle their concerns.

But, despite this welcome change to the status of the moratorium. The situation in the Firth of Forth is more critical now than it ever has been. For while a moratorium is in place it has the potential to mask the fact that the industry will continue to pursue this process to the bitter end. They will use this time as a plan of works. Despite the mounting evidence of the effect of this process on communities such as Queensland, Australia (4) and Hoe Creek, Wyoming (5), Communities who now live with the reality of air pollution, water contamination, toxic waste and the health effects that came with UCG. An industry that no one wants.

Last Sunday 2000 people spanned the length of the Forth road bridge…and linked hands across the Firth of Forth to show their ongoing protection of the river that flowed beneath them. They came together from the banks of the Forth and beyond to unite, to show the government, Cluff and Five Quarters Energy that they will not permit the destruction of such an integral part of their environment. And there on a bridge over 5000 feet in the air, stood all 2000 of them…professionals, environmentalists, scientists, artists, office workers, shop assistants, musicians, mothers and fathers. But they were just the surface of a movement, with an undercurrent of thousands more, who’ve met, thought and understood the process of UCG…and who are ready to turn the tide on unconventional gas extraction below our waters and our land once and for all…

1. http://www.cluffnaturalresources.com/projects.aspx

2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-29987033

3.http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/12303977.html

4. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-10/linc-energy-secret-report-reveals-toxic-chemical-risk/6681740

5. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2014/04/140408-new-energy-frontier-underground-coal-gasification/

Read more:
Thousands back Hands Over Our Forth

HANDS OVER OUR FORTH

Community groups from across the central belt of Scotland and beyond will be joining hands  on October 11th at 2pm on the Forth Road Bridge to demand that the Scottish Government protect the Forth of Forth from Underground Coal Gasification.

This protest demands that Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) must be included in the temporary “fracking” ban (Unconventional Gas Extraction). From then on,  demanding an all-out ban on all Unconventional Gas Extraction in Scotland.

People from all over Scotland and the UK are to join hands to form a human chain while standing on the Forth Road Bridge, from North Queensferry side in Fife to South Queensferry side.

This won’t happen without a big people powered push! 2000 people on the Forth Road Bridge will be a statement they cannot ignore. Please be part of it!

13.00 – 13.30

The time for this event is listed as to begin @ 2pm, however to emphasise- the optimum time to reach the bridge would be 1.30pm to give enough time to make your way into position to line up on the bridge.

Photo Opportunity with Banners either side of Bridge. North side Queensferry Hotel Garden / South side viewing point between Road and Rail Bridges, Ferrymuir Gait car park. 

For anyone/ groups wanting to take photos of this momentous occasion. Allow yourselves time to arrive, take your pics and get the banners either back into cars/ coaches/ or into the rooms at the hotel. Then head onto the bridge where the stewards will guide you.

13.30 – 14.00

Participants take their positions on the Bridge. Please arrive in plenty time for taking your position at 130pm

The WEST side of the bridge will be closed off for this event so we have sole use of this side- this is the side easiest for disabled access as no steps and also ease of getting into the hotel, however it must be noted that there is a slope to gain to access the hotel.

14.00 – 14.30

A piper from either side begins walk to middle. People join hands. Arriving at the middle pipers play a duet together.

15.00 – 17.00

Guest speakers: Australian Toxicologist Dr.Mariann Lloyd Smith & John Ashton – Venue: The Queensferry Hotel (due to logistics and weather this has had to be organised indoors as a ticketed event Book Your Ticket Here)

Notes:

• This is a family friendly event but all children must be accompanied by an adult
• No bikes, NO BANNERS on the bridge for safety reasons.
• Please bring warm clothing and comfortable foot wear.
• Time to walk across Bridge approx 25mins.
• We encourage people to share photos on social media and on the HOOF Event Gallery.
• Please bring cash to donate to the expenses of the event into the buckets provided.

Be The Media!!! 

To spread the news about the demo we need pictures Before and During the event. A flow of news from the day is essential so send pictures of banner making tonight, packed lunches and tea in the morning, arriving at Queensferry, the crowds building, walking the bridge, the pipers and everything in-between.

If you can’t make it then join The Demo by Sending Messages & Pictures Of Solidarity

Information

TRANSPORT

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Edinburgh- Stagecoach service 55, Gate C and Citylink service M91, Gate F run to Forth Road Bridge. Stagecoach run every hour 11.25, 12.25 etc journey 25 mins- £6.30 return. Citylink every 2 hours- 11am, 1pm etc.

Glasgow Buchanan Station – Dunfermline X27 £16.50 Connecting service- Dunfermline – Forth Bridge stance 7 service 55 £6.30.

Falkirk – Kirkliston First bus X38 £9.40 to Station Road- connecting Stagecoach service 51 – Forth Bridge £3.60

CYCLE CONVOYS

Below is a Convoy organised from Edinburgh. If you are cycling from anywhere else and want us to publicise your convoy, let us know!

3. Arrive FRB, Ferrymuir Gait Car Park approx 12.45

QUERIES EMAIL Sara on sara.marsden@ymail.com

CONTACT ON THE DAY: Please email if you would like my phone number

 

ROUTE MAPS

1. 5-Ways to Craigleith – 2.25 miles (20mins)

CycleStreets » Short un-named link to Roseburn Path

				CycleStreets » Short un-named link to Roseburn Path Journey no. #46,374,561 Routes for Short un-named link to Roseburn PathChange Return Choose a route: Fastest route Balanced route Quietest route Fastest route op…
				View on www.cyclestreets.net	Preview by Yahoo

2. Craigleith to FRB – 7.5miles (1hour)

 

CycleStreets » Roseburn Path to Alongside Slip road

				CycleStreets » Roseburn Path to Alongside Slip road Time (mm:ss) Distance (miles) View Turn Streets   Surface Local map (approx. every 0.5 miles) 0:05 0 Street View Start Roseburn Path Cycle path 7:33 1.1 Street View…
				View on www.cyclestreets.net	Preview by Yahoo

PARKING AND LIFT SHARE 

Coaches Organised By Community Groups.

East Kilbride( Atholl House -/ Churchill Avenue)- 11.10 am – Glasgow George Sq(City Chambers) 11.30- Cumbernauld (Town centre- North Stance)11.50 – please get in touch with number of seats required email hoof4fof@hotmail.com -£6 return trip

More information

available from hoof4fof@hotmail.com

or if you are on Facebook then join the event https://www.facebook.com/events/1642166826064509/ More information, transport advice, lift sharing available on this event page. (Please only click “going” on this FB event if you are sure you’re attending. It is vital that numbers on there match that of the number of people (or near enough) who actually turn up on the day. )

Please help spread the Word!

Tell all your friends! Bring them with you !

share this video this video

or this flier 

Paper versions are available for distribution,

Available for home printing from this link  or contact ourforthportobello@googlemail.com to pick some up.

DONATE

If you can’t come then please consider donating. This campaign is run by normal people like you and me, who are organising in their lunch hours and after the kids are in bed and using their own cash. They need your help! If you know any local group/organisation/club who’d be interested in being involved, please share this information/FB event with them.If you would like to help with any aspect of organising this event then please get in touch.

Click here to donate or bring money on the day the throw into the buckets!