"SEAS are rising – so are we!"

That was the cry from the protesters at the Xtinction Rebellion gathering at Old Dee Bridge on Friday, August 28.

The group held its demonstration at the bridge overlooking the River Dee as it aimed to put the focus on rising sea levels caused by climate change.

Research from Climate Central showed that, if the sea levels continued to rise at their current rate, much of Chester, Ellesmere Port and the Wirral would be below the annual flood levels by 2050.

Banners were unfurled over the bridge during the peaceful demonstration, watched on by police, with slogans including 'stop climate change' and 'time is up'.

A small group also used a blue tarpulin sheet – representing the sea – and walked across the road moving it to simulate sea waves, while traffic was halted at the lights.

One of the organisers, Pierre Walthéry, explained what the protesters were aiming to achieve from the demonstration.

He said: "If we go on with the current policies without dramatically reducing our carbon footprint, then the seas will rise and there are going to be places on Earth which we cannot live on.

"We want to engage the conversation with the people of Chester and invite them to join us and press for action, for the Government to tell the truth to its people, not lie through omission.

"We want to get people to publicly support a New Green Deal in early September."

Pierre added the protest was also to raise awareness and support the passing of the upcoming Climate Ecological Emergency Bill by Parliament, which people could do by lobbying their local MP.

Among the key features of the bill are the UK recognising its total carbon footprint, in that it takes into account not just the carbon footprint on UK shores, but its impact from imports from places such as China.

The bill also calls for the establishment of a 'citizen's assembly', made up of members of the public and not MPs, who can have a say on the way forward.

The bill, which has the support of Green MP Caroline Lucas, also seeks the reduction of carbon emissions and the preservation and restoration of nature in the UK.

Green Party Cheshire West and Chester councillor Paul Bowers, who also attended the protest, said the council had been taking the climate issue seriously, after declaring a Climate Emergency in May 2019.

But he added there were further issues which had to be tackled, expressing concerns about the plans for a new 800-vehicle car park in Chester city centre as part of the Northgate Development, which appeared to run counter to the council's aim of reducing motorised traffic into the city centre and increasing active travel.

He also said it was "unfortunate" there had been a "breakdown in communication" when the new trial bus and cycle lanes in Boughton and Liverpool Road were being implemented. The scheme has since been paused following a backlash from residents.

Xtinction Rebellion has been holding larger group protests in Manchester, Cardiff and London on September 1 and 2.