Action by climate protesters is set to cause 'temporary' disruptions in the city centre from noon today (Saturday, June 18). The protest will see seven-minute 'roadblocks' halting traffic throughout the day, according to a statement from organisers.
Youth Climate Swarm is behind the protest, and is due to assemble at midday in Queen Square. They will be supporting action also being staged today by Extinction Rebellion Youth Bristol (XRYB).
This comes after environmental activists from the campaign group's Youth section launched a new campaign across the West of England in support of free bus travel for young people and an improved bus network across the region.
Read more: Climate protesters to 'swarm' Bristol city centre streets
Banners will be placed around the Harbourside, and the Wills Memorial Building Tower while bus stop ads are set to be replaced with spray paint, XRYB says. The hospital trust that runs Bristol Royal Infirmary has sent a note to staff advising of potential travel disruption.
Teenage activist Torin Menzies, 17, said: "We are asking for free bus travel for young people not just because of the reduced carbon emissions from increased public transport usage, but also because of the cost of living crisis that we are currently facing. All young people should have equal access to education, and be able to meet up with friends, without having to worry about the cost of getting there.
"Although some might say our demands are unrealistic, they are not unprecedented - Greater London already has free bus travel for under 18s, Scotland has introduced a free bus pass for all under 22s, and parts of Greater Manchester are serviced by entirely free buses.”
A letter addressed from XRYB’s detailing their demands has been sent to the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and its constituent local authorities requesting the following:
Free buses: Free travel within the West of England (including North Somerset) for all those under the age of 25, all students, and all apprentices.
Fair buses: A consultation and public forum is run to identify improvements to bus routes that would best serve communities.
According to XRYB’s, Transport Action Network, Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate, and B&NES National Education Union have all endorsed demands to WECA, among other organisations. This weekend of action will form part of a series of actions by XRYB and supporting groups that will continue to escalate over the coming weeks and months.
Organisers did not specify which roads they intend to block today. Staff at Bristol Royal Infirmary have been informed by the hospital trust that there could be disruption, adding: "Details of the roads affected are not known, other than they will be within the city centre, and it is not known how long the demonstration will take place for."
We will bringing you the latest on this as the protest gets under way. Youth Climate Swarm's website states: "Disruption is an essential part of civil resistance.
"Swarming is an effective tactic that could gridlock a city with minimal risk if enough people do it. The aim is to build a movement of young people who are in the necessary place of being in non-violent civil resistance"
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