Live coverage: Greta Thunberg visits Bristol

3.43pm
Despite earlier reports, Greta has not visited her mural on North Street so that concludes this live blog. Thank you all for reading  We’ll see you all for the next protest.

3.26pm
Read more: Highlights of Greta Thunberg’s speech on College Green

Photo by Charlotte Sabin

3.02pm
Read more: In photos: Greta Thunberg’s visit to Bristol

Photo by Phil Riley

2.40pm
Watch our video of Greta Thunberg’s speech at College Green, shot and edited by Aphra Evans.

2.07pm
Extinction Rebellion are at the protest. Photos by Phil Riley

2.05pm
The front of the march heads down Corn Street.

Photo by Phil Riley

1.48pm
Bristol24/7 footage of Greta walking past the Galleries is liked and retweeted by the climate activist herself:

https://twitter.com/bristol247/status/1233387672909074436

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1.37pm
The climate march turns onto Baldwin Street.

Photo by Ellie Pipe

1.29pm
The march passes Castle Park. Photos by Phil Riley.

1.09pm
Highlights from Greta Thunberg’s speech:

“We should not be the ones who will have to lead on this and tell the uncomfortable truth. Once again they sweep their mess under the rug for us young people, for their children to clean up for them.

“But we must continue and we have to be patient and remember that the changes required will not happen overnight since the politics and the solutions needed are still far from sight. If enough people are pushing for change then change will come and we are those people and every single person counts.

“We are being betrayed by those in power and they are failing us but we will not back down.”

1.08pm
A crowdfunding campaign has been set up to restore College Green in time for spring.

12.54pm
One brave soul has taken a dip in the water.

12.53pm
The massive crowd continues pat Christmas Steps.

Photo by Phil Riley

12.50pm

12.43pm
It has been estimated that some 30,000 people are taking part in today’s protest.

12.36pm
Police horses are at the front of the march, which is headed by Greta Thunberg and Bristol youth activists.

Photo by Phil Riley

12.32pm
Greta leads the climate strike march through the city centre. Photos by Phil Riley

12.32pm
Protesters have left College Green spotless (if muddy).

Photo by Ellie Pipe.

12.27pm
The march is beginning from near the fountains.

12.18pm
People coming to College Green today to support the climate movement range from NHS staff, young children and our video journalist Aphra Evans who is “covered in mud from head to toe”. Photos by Phil Riley.

12.12pm
Crowds begin to move as the march begins. Photos by Aphra Evans.

12.06pm
Staff from Storysmith on North Street in Bedminster will be handing out free books on College Green from around 12.15pm.

12.04pm

The march begins.

https://twitter.com/moragmassey/status/1233361980288835584

11.56am
Greta Thunberg calls on the crowd to march as her speech on College Green nears its conclusion.

11.55am
Massive crowds are watching Greta Thunberg speak.

11.53am
Greta: “Just look at Bristol as an example, the other week the plans to expand Bristol Airport were cancelled and that is thanks to climate activists – this is far from enough but it shows that it actual does make a difference.”

11.52am
Greta Thunberg: “I will not stand aside and watch, I will not be silenced while the world is on fire, will you?

“World leaders are behaving like children, so it falls on us (young people) to be the adults in the room.

“We will not be silenced because we are the change and change is coming whether you like it or not.”

11.49am
Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg is on the temporary stage in front of City Hall at College Green.

Photo by Phil Riley

11.40am
One more speaker, Katie Hodgetts, before Greta addresses the crowds, saying: “There should be no such thing as a youth climate activist.”

Photo by Phil Riley

11.36am
More youth activists take to the stage. A BSL interpreter is also signing each speech.

Photo by Phil Riley

11.29am
Environmental activist Mya-Rose Craig speaks at College Green. She recently became the youngest person in the UK to be awarded an honorary degree, when she was honoured by the University of Bristol.

Photo by Phil Riley

11.24am
The huge crowds are spilling over onto Park Street.

Photo by Martin Booth

11.21am
The crowd size is estimated at 15,000 to 30,000, with some familiar faces among them.

11.17am
Climate scientists from the University of Bristol are on hand to answer any climate questions the public may have.

11.06am
Greta heads to a private meeting with event organisers when she arrives on College Square.

11.00am
People continue to head to College Green from all directions.

10.49am
Bristol City Council is reminding people to stay safe during the protest, as a huge crowd gathers on College Green.

10.47am
Crowds are growing at College Green. This is Rosie, six, Dylan, three, and Laura. Laura, an ecologist, says: “I’ve been to a few protests  before and I’m so impressed with what these kids are doing and think it’s so important to come out and support them.”

Rosie and Dylan made the signs themselves. Photo by Ellie Pipe

10.34am
Greta has arrived at Temple Meads.

10.32am
Bristol Old Vic is opening their doors to anyone needing respite from the rain.

10.31am
There is a heavy police presence in the centre of Bristol, as well as some music.

10.21am
Rumour has it that Greta has arrived in Bristol.

Dorothy and Lyla, both nine, and Reuben, seven, are excited to be at the protest today – photo by Ellie Pipe

10.13am
Bristol24/7 has journalists covering the visit through reporting, photos and video.

10.07am
Car-free streets and police bikes stopping traffic by the Old Market roundabout. A steady stream of people are heading to College Green with homemade banners. Photos by Ellie Pipe.

9.57am
Some of the first shots of the gathering crowds by Bristol24/7 photographer Phil Riley.

9.54am

9.09am
Volunteer marshals are currently being briefed on College Green. Crash barriers have been set up to cope with the expected crowds.

Volunteers are being briefed – photo by Martin Booth

9.03am
The site map of College Green. Signs on City Hall and Central Library indicate that both will be closed to the public during the protest.

8.23am
Today’s events in Bristol will be seen in homes across the world.

Television news trucks parked by the cathedral gatehouse – photo by Martin Booth

8.11am
It’s both cold and wet today, but Friska have you covered.

https://twitter.com/friskafood/status/1233300698026119168

8.03am
This is the stage on which Greta and other speakers will be addressing the crowds today:

Greta Thunberg is due to address Friday’s climate protest at 11.45am – photo by Martin Booth

7.43am
Here are the timings for today that we know so far, but please be aware that these could change:

• 11am: protest starts on College Green
• 11.15am: first speakers
• 11.45am: Greta speaks
• Midday: march commences

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7.26am
In a statement, the acting dean of Bristol Cathedral, the revd canon Michael Johnson, said that he is “delighted that (Greta) has come to Bristol to raise awareness of climate change and encourage action to care for God’s creation more effectively”.

During the protest, the cathedral will become a safe space or refuge for anyone who may need to be away from the crowds.

7.09am
Some city centre road closures will be in place from 9am until 5pm. The area covered by road closures will stretch from Broadmead and the Bearpit across to Hotwells, Brandon Hill and Park Street.

A map of Friday’s road closures. Image: Bristol City Council

The roads affected will be:

• Lower Maudlin Street from its junction with Whitson Street to Lewins Mead
• Rupert Street
• Lewins Mead
• The Horsefair
• Penn Street
• Broad Weir
• Newgate
• Union Street
• Wine Street
• High Street
• Bristol Bridge
• Victoria Street from Bristol Bridge to its junction with Counterslip
• Baldwin Street
• St Augustine’s Parade
• Anchor Road from St Augustine’s Parade to Cannons Way
• College Green
• Park Street
• Unity Street
• Denmark Street
• College Street
• St George’s Road from Park Street to its junction with Frog Lane
• Deanery Road from its junction with St George’s Road to the site of College Green

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7am
Welcome to our live blog covering what is set to be a momentous day in Bristol. Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg is visiting the city, where she is due to address huge crowds on College Green, take part in a march around the city centre and also visit her mural on the side of the Tobacco Factory on North Street.

Main photo by Martin Booth

Read more: Police urge those attending Greta’s appearance in Bristol to be prepared