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Dartford closure: Just Stop Oil protesters climb up QE2 Bridge Dartford closure: Just Stop Oil protesters climb up QE2 Bridge
(30 minutes later)
Essex Police said the two people were "currently at height"Essex Police said the two people were "currently at height"
Two people who have scaled the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, causing its closure, are Just Stop Oil supporters, the protest group has claimed. Two people who scaled the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, causing its closure, are Just Stop Oil supporters, the protest group said.
Police closed the bridge, which connects the M25 between Essex and Kent, after reports of climbers at about 03:50 BST.Police closed the bridge, which connects the M25 between Essex and Kent, after reports of climbers at about 03:50 BST.
Just Stop Oil said it was part of a protest against new government oil and gas licences.Just Stop Oil said it was part of a protest against new government oil and gas licences.
A diversion for traffic was put in place via the Dartford tunnel.A diversion for traffic was put in place via the Dartford tunnel.
Essex Police said the incident "may take some time to resolve due to the complexities of safely getting people down from height".Essex Police said the incident "may take some time to resolve due to the complexities of safely getting people down from height".
Traffic has been stopped on the #A282 southbound #QEIIBridge due to a @EssexPoliceUK led incident. Essex Police are at the location and managing the incident. Please allow extra time if travelling and seek an alternative route if possible.. 30 min delays from J30. @DartCharge pic.twitter.com/6jzXLyJBaZ National Highways East wrote on Twitter that there were "60-minute delays with three miles of congestion on the approach".
National Highways East wrote on Twitter that there were "60 minute delays with three miles of congestion on the approach". There is a diversion in both directions via the Dartford tunnel
The 1.7m-long (2.8km) bridge takes traffic southbound on the A282, which connects the M25 London Orbital Motorway between Essex and Kent.The 1.7m-long (2.8km) bridge takes traffic southbound on the A282, which connects the M25 London Orbital Motorway between Essex and Kent.
Just Stop Oil said the two supporters had ascended the two 84m masts at the north/Essex end of the bridge and called it "an act of resistance against a criminal government".Just Stop Oil said the two supporters had ascended the two 84m masts at the north/Essex end of the bridge and called it "an act of resistance against a criminal government".
The group said one of the pair, Morgan Trowland, was a 39-year-old bridge design engineer from London.The group said one of the pair, Morgan Trowland, was a 39-year-old bridge design engineer from London.
Mr Trowland said: "Our government has enacted suicidal laws to accelerate oil production - killing human life and destroying our environment.Mr Trowland said: "Our government has enacted suicidal laws to accelerate oil production - killing human life and destroying our environment.
"I can't challenge this madness in my desk job, designing bridges, so I'm taking direct action.""I can't challenge this madness in my desk job, designing bridges, so I'm taking direct action."
Protesters were dragged away by members of the public in Shoreditch, London, on SundayProtesters were dragged away by members of the public in Shoreditch, London, on Sunday
Just Stop Oil says more than 450 of its supporters have been arrested over the last two weeksJust Stop Oil says more than 450 of its supporters have been arrested over the last two weeks
The group said more than 450 of its supporters have been arrested during the last two weeks of action.The group said more than 450 of its supporters have been arrested during the last two weeks of action.
More than 20 people were arrested on Sunday after some activists glued themselves to the road in Shoreditch High Street in east London.More than 20 people were arrested on Sunday after some activists glued themselves to the road in Shoreditch High Street in east London.
The High Court issued an interim injunction last year to deter environmental activists from staging demonstrations on the M25.The High Court issued an interim injunction last year to deter environmental activists from staging demonstrations on the M25.
Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman has described the actions of demonstrators as "self-defeating" and "completely indefensible".Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman has described the actions of demonstrators as "self-defeating" and "completely indefensible".
Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.ukFind BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk