THE organisers of a forthcoming pro-Yes demonstration on bridges across the M8 have spoken out to correct what they call the “misinformation” being spread about the protest.

Speaking exclusively to The National, Yes M8 have revealed that this weekend they will be checking each and every bridge over central Scotland’s main motorway from Edinburgh to Greenock to see how accessible they are.

If there are any doubts about the safety or accessibility of any bridge, it will not be included in the protest on Saturday April 7. Yes M8 say they are well aware that it is a criminal offence under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to hang or fly items such as banners or flags from structures bridging the roads and say they have no intention of “draping” flags or banners.

READ MORE: YesM8 group plan to 'occupy' motorway bridges in bid to raise independence awareness

However, the organisers are most concerned about misleading reports being spread on social media, some of it by fellow independence campaigners who have expressed fears for the safety of motorists.

One of the organisers, Iain McGlade, said: “A lot of people are leaping down our throats, including some on the Yes side, because they do not know everything we have planned or are planning to do.

“I understand their worries because they do not know everything we are proposing and they do not know, for instance, that we are talking to Police Scotland and have already shown them our rules and they have said ‘that’s great’ and have suggested a few other things that we have taken on board.

“We would also intend, for instance, that particular junctions or bridges will end up more litter free by the time we are gone than when we start.”

The purpose of the protest is to “gain visibility” for the pro-independence movement, according to McGlade.

The displays will take place between 11am and 1pm on Saturday April 7. Along the route local supporters and Yes groups will coordinate the activities of those taking part, with uninvited guests not welcome.

McGlade explained: “We don’t want hundreds of people on every bridge. That would be nuts and would cause distraction.

“From the discussions we have had with local coordinators so far, and we are looking for more, we would prefer not to have random people showing up.

“If they are interested in taking part contact us on our Yes M8 Facebook page or via Twitter and we will put them in touch with their local coordinator, and then if anybody random shows up they are not our responsibility.

“It is possible that there will be counter-demonstrations, and we are planning for this. We hope to film every bridge and if laws are broken it won’t be by us and we’ll be the ones helping the police with their enquiries.

“If there are any counter-demonstrations our rules state that Yes M8 people will be as courteous as possible as they have as much right to be there as we have. I simply do not know whether they will be as organised as we will be.”

The rules used by Yes M8 are those drawn up for protests by the Bridges for Indy group who have been carrying out displays on bridges since last September,

McGlade said: “This is happening every week in Scotland thanks to our friends at Bridges for Indy and they have not had a single incident. We value their expertise.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said the force would work with Yes M8 “to better understand their intentions for this event and through early engagement, work with the group to facilitate the safe, lawful and peaceful assembly of the participants so that road travellers are not distracted, impeded or otherwise obstructed.”