Ineos has stalled in the first round but could still win its fight to permanently close a public road that runs through its Grangemouth complex in Scotland. At a hearing held by the Grangemouth Community Council (GCC), attended by members of the locally governing Falkirk Council and Member of the UK Parliament Martyn Day, it was agreed to delay a decision on the 150-meter stretch of the A904 highway until Ineos formally submits a new closure application and the council approves it.

An application would need to be accompanied by a transport assessment showing the impact of the proposed closure, and if planning permission were granted, the company could apply for a closure, following a consultation process.

The road segment had been closed in March 2015 to facilitate work on a pipe bridge in preparation for Ineos’ new storage tank for shale gas-derived ethane feedstock imported from the US, but reopened in March 2016.

Ineos has cited safety reasons for wanting to close the road again, while local commuters have complained of inconvenient delays due to the blockage.