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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| 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, which crosses the Thames to the east of London | 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 to disrupt M25 traffic. | The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge remains closed for a second day as a protest continues to disrupt M25 traffic. |
| Police received reports of Just Stop Oil supporters 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 there was about six miles (10km) of slow-moving traffic and 60 minutes of delays both ways. | Highways England said there was about six miles (10km) of slow-moving traffic and 60 minutes of delays both ways. |
| 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. |
| The 1.7mile (2.8km) bridge takes traffic southbound over the River Thames on the A282, which connects the M25 London Orbital Motorway from Essex to Kent. | The 1.7mile (2.8km) bridge takes traffic southbound over the River Thames on the A282, which connects the M25 London Orbital Motorway from Essex to Kent. |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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. | 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" that was not simple to resolve due to the height the two men protesting had reached on the bridge - about 427 ft (130m) above the water and 180ft (55m) above the road surface. | He said it was a "complex situation" that was not simple to resolve due to the height the two men protesting 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 said | Traffic 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 reopen the road", said Ch Supt Anslow. | National Highways had made an assessment and it was "not currently safe to reopen the road", said Ch Supt Anslow. |
| "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. | "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. |
| "Our priority is to keep people safe and keep Essex moving. | "Our priority is to keep people safe and keep Essex moving. |
| "The best way would be for the protesters to decide they'd like to come down, they've made their point, and they're able to come down so the roads can start moving and the impact that such a major road being closed can start to reduce." | "The best way would be for the protesters to decide they'd like to come down, they've made their point, and they're able to come down so the roads can start moving and the impact that such a major road being closed can start to reduce." |
| He confirmed officers were engaging with the two men "to see what their intentions are and how long they can stay there". | He confirmed officers were engaging with the two men "to see what their intentions are and how long they can stay there". |
| "The weather may change towards the end of day and overnight and what that will that mean for them?" | "The weather may change towards the end of day and overnight and what that will that mean for them?" |
| 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 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. | 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. |
| "I don't know how they're going to be brought down, and I'm not sure the police do either." | "I don't know how they're going to be brought down, and I'm not sure the police do either." |
| 'Survived the night' | 'Survived the night' |
| Just Stop Oil said one of the protesters, Morgan Trowland, was a 39-year-old bridge design engineer from London, while they referred to the other as just "Marcus" and described him as a "teacher from London". | Just Stop Oil said one of the protesters, Morgan Trowland, was a 39-year-old bridge design engineer from London, while they referred to the other as just "Marcus" and described him as a "teacher from London". |
| Mr Trowland said on Twitter they had "survived the night", and he was left cold, did not sleep much, but was "OK". | Mr Trowland said on Twitter they had "survived the night", and he was left cold, did not sleep much, but was "OK". |
| "We're here until the government makes a meaningful statement to cancel all new licences and consents for oil and gas extraction because oil and gas is killing us now and it's driving millions into poverty this winter. | |
| "We have to have an emergency transition to renewable energy to provide stable affordable energy and we have to pay for that transition using the profits of the oil and gas industry and the rich." | "We have to have an emergency transition to renewable energy to provide stable affordable energy and we have to pay for that transition using the profits of the oil and gas industry and the rich." |
| In a statement the government said: "While we respect the right to protest, people's day-to-day lives should not be disrupted, and criminal activity will not be tolerated. | In a statement the government said: "While we respect the right to protest, people's day-to-day lives should not be disrupted, and criminal activity will not be tolerated. |
| "We remain fully committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and the UK is forging ahead of many other countries on net zero - with 40% of our power now coming from cleaner and cheaper renewable sources." | "We remain fully committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and the UK is forging ahead of many other countries on net zero - with 40% of our power now coming from cleaner and cheaper renewable sources." |
| Karina Poole said having to walk instead of driving her car, put her at risk | |
| Some motorists on social media have called for the southbound carriageway to reopen a reduced number of lanes, with one saying it was "beyond a joke now". | Some motorists on social media have called for the southbound carriageway to reopen a reduced number of lanes, with one saying it was "beyond a joke now". |
| Karina Poole, from Thurrock, Essex, said roads in their area on Monday night were at "total gridlock". | |
| "I couldn't even get out of our estate." | |
| She said she had to park her car at home and walk for half an hour to and from the railway station, crossed a "major roundabout", and was an hour late for work. | |
| "These demonstrators have put my personal safety at risk," she said. | |
| "Not all of us can afford to use taxis especially in today's economic climate." | |
| Roads around the Thurrock area have been left heavily congested | |
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| How has the Dartford Crossing closure affected you today? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | How has the Dartford Crossing closure affected you today? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
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