Blockade the billionaire

Eco warriors aim to force petrol pumps to run dry

- DAN VEVERS

ECO warriors are set to target Scotland's biggest fuel depot in a move which could see pumps run dry across the country.

The climate campaigners are planning to "target fossil fuel infrastructure" at Grangemouth in a "festival of resistance" against energy giant Ineos.

Hundreds of activists are planning a climate change camp teaching direct action techniques next week at the site near Falkirk which supplies petrol to two-thirds of Scots forecourts.

On Saturday next week they plan a day of "direct action" aimed at halting fuel supplies getting out from the site.

Organisers hope a blockade will have the same impact as a truckers' blockade in 2000 which led to fuel shortages in forecourts across Scotland.

David Lonsdale of the Scottish Retail Consortium - whose members include supermarket forecourt operators such as Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's - said firms would do "everything they can to minimise any potential short-term impact on supplies of fuel".

But he added: "Any actions by a small minority to disrupt supplies to forecourts would be deeply regrettable.