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M25 Dartford Crossing closed for second day as protest continues M25 Dartford Crossing closed for second day as protest continues
(about 1 hour later)
Just Stop Oil said protesters had scaled the suspension bridge via its cables Just Stop Oil said protesters had scaled the suspension bridge, which crosses the Thames to the east of London
The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge remains closed for a second day as a protest continues. The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge remains closed for a second day as a protest continues to disrupt M25 traffic.
Police received reports of members of the group Just Stop Oil scaling the bridge's masts at the Dartford Crossing at 03:50 BST on Monday. Police received reports of Just Stop Oil supporters scaling the bridge's masts at the Dartford Crossing at 03:50 BST on Monday.
Highways England said delays were building and there was about six miles (10km) of slow moving traffic. Highways England said delays were building and there was about six miles (10km) of slow-moving traffic.
Just Stop Oil said the action was in protest against new government oil and gas licences.Just Stop Oil said the action was in protest against new government oil and gas licences.
Essex Police said it was working to resolve the situation as two people were still "at height". Essex Police said it was working to resolve the situation as two people were still protesting "at height".
A police presence remains at the QEII bridge A police presence remained at the Queen Elizabeth II bridge, which carries the A282 over the River Thames, connecting the M25 between Essex and Kent
The 1.7mile (2.8km) bridge takes traffic southbound on the A282, which connects the M25 London Orbital Motorway from Essex to Kent. The Dartford Tunnel usually carries traffic northbound. The 1.7mile (2.8km) bridge takes traffic southbound on the A282, which connects the M25 London Orbital Motorway from Essex to Kent.
All southbound traffic was being diverted through the East Bore of the Dartford Tunnel, National Highways said. All southbound traffic was being diverted through the East Bore of the Dartford Tunnel, National Highways said, leaving only the West Bore available to traffic heading north under the river.
Ch Supt Simon Anslow from Essex Police said: "We understand how frustrating this situation is for people wanting to use the bridge and go about their business.Ch Supt Simon Anslow from Essex Police said: "We understand how frustrating this situation is for people wanting to use the bridge and go about their business.
"Let me assure you we are doing all we can to resolve this situation quickly and safely.""Let me assure you we are doing all we can to resolve this situation quickly and safely."
He said it was a "complex situation" due to the height of the people on the bridge. He said it was a "complex situation" due to the height the protesters had reached on the bridge - about 427 ft (130m) above the water and 180ft (55m) above the road surface.
Traffic queues were forming and people were advised to avoid the area, National Highways saidTraffic queues were forming and people were advised to avoid the area, National Highways said
National Highways had made an assessment and it was "not currently safe to re-open the road", he said. National Highways had made an assessment and it was "not currently safe to reopen the road", said Ch Supt Anslow.
Mr Anslow said: "We will take action against anyone who puts life in danger or thinks they can selfishly stop others getting to and from work or just going about their daily lives." "We will take action against anyone who puts life in danger or thinks they can selfishly stop others getting to and from work or just going about their daily lives," he said.
The impact was "far reaching", he added.
"Our priority is to keep people safe and keep Essex moving.""Our priority is to keep people safe and keep Essex moving."
Just Stop Oil said: "Our political system is betraying the people of this country. More fossil fuel licences means global genocide"Just Stop Oil said: "Our political system is betraying the people of this country. More fossil fuel licences means global genocide"
A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said one of the pair, Morgan Trowland, was a 39-year-old bridge design engineer from London. A spokesperson for climate change campaigners Just Stop Oil said: "My understanding is that they are going to stay up there until they're brought down.
Mr Trowland said: "Our government has enacted suicidal laws to accelerate oil production - killing human life and destroying our environment. "I don't know how they're going to be brought down, and I'm not sure the police do either."
It said one of the pair, Morgan Trowland, was a 39-year-old bridge design engineer from London.
Mr Trowland previously 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."
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