This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-63552488

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Just Stop Oil protests affect M25 and Dartford Crossing Just Stop Oil protests affect M25 and Dartford Crossing
(about 1 hour later)
Essex Police called the action "unacceptable"Essex Police called the action "unacceptable"
Widespread disruption has affected the M25 for a second day running after protests at multiple locations.Widespread disruption has affected the M25 for a second day running after protests at multiple locations.
The Dartford Tunnel was closed after Just Stop Oil activists staged protests at Thurrock in Essex, while further actions took place in Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.The Dartford Tunnel was closed after Just Stop Oil activists staged protests at Thurrock in Essex, while further actions took place in Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.
Essex Police said someone climbed a gantry at junction 31 on the northbound carriageway at about 07:00 GMT.Essex Police said someone climbed a gantry at junction 31 on the northbound carriageway at about 07:00 GMT.
Just Stop Oil activists it had about 15 supporters at "multiple locations". Just Stop Oil said it had about 15 supporters at "multiple locations".
Several arrests have been by different police forces. Several arrests have been made by different police forces.
Police officers remained at the scene at the northern end of the Dartford Crossing, Essex Police saidPolice officers remained at the scene at the northern end of the Dartford Crossing, Essex Police said
Earlier, Essex Police said the protests would cause "major disruption" to motorists using the M25 to drive from Kent into Essex via the A282 Dartford Crossing.Earlier, Essex Police said the protests would cause "major disruption" to motorists using the M25 to drive from Kent into Essex via the A282 Dartford Crossing.
Both tunnels of the northbound crossing were closed earlier, but one reopened at about 08:45, with the second one reopening by 09:30.Both tunnels of the northbound crossing were closed earlier, but one reopened at about 08:45, with the second one reopening by 09:30.
What is Just Stop Oil and what are its aims?What is Just Stop Oil and what are its aims?
Dozens arrested over Just Stop Oil M25 protestsDozens arrested over Just Stop Oil M25 protests
Police remove and arrest Dartford bridge protestersPolice remove and arrest Dartford bridge protesters
Essex Police said due to officers "proactively patrolling the M25" a woman was arrested within 90 minutes of being spotted on the gantry. Essex Police said due to officers "proactively patrolling the M25", a woman was arrested within 90 minutes of being spotted on the gantry.
Ch Supt Simon Anslow said: "I completely understand the anger and frustration and want to assure people we are working hard to prevent these criminal acts and to respond as quickly as we can where they take place.Ch Supt Simon Anslow said: "I completely understand the anger and frustration and want to assure people we are working hard to prevent these criminal acts and to respond as quickly as we can where they take place.
"We have mobilised a significant amount of resources... resources which should be tackling knife crime, helping investigate sexual and domestic offences, and responding to burglaries.""We have mobilised a significant amount of resources... resources which should be tackling knife crime, helping investigate sexual and domestic offences, and responding to burglaries."
The Metropolitan Police (Met) said teams trained to safely remove people who attached themselves to a structure, including those at height, had been used.
The affected locations were:
Essex - Junction 27 (Epping), Junction 30 (Lakeside) and Junction 31 (Dartford Crossing)
Herts - Junction 20 (Kings Langley), Junction 21a (Bricket Wood, Junction 22 (London Conley) and Junction 26 (Cheshunt)
Kent - Junction 1b (Dartford)
Surrey - Junctions seven (M23) to eight (Reigate), junctions eight to nine (Leatherhead), Junction 11 (Chertsey) and Junctions 12 (M23) to 13 (Staines)
London - Junctions 14 to 15 (Slough)
We are currently on scene at the north-bound track of the M25 at the Dartford River Crossing where a protester has climbed on to the gantry at junction 31. Dartford tunnel and two lanes are closed. We are working as quickly as we can to keep you moving. pic.twitter.com/SAD8gCAtkSWe are currently on scene at the north-bound track of the M25 at the Dartford River Crossing where a protester has climbed on to the gantry at junction 31. Dartford tunnel and two lanes are closed. We are working as quickly as we can to keep you moving. pic.twitter.com/SAD8gCAtkS
Just Stop Oil activists said about 15 of its supporters were on gantries at "multiple locations".Just Stop Oil activists said about 15 of its supporters were on gantries at "multiple locations".
It said in a statement that the action was to "demand that the government halts all new oil and gas licences and consents".It said in a statement that the action was to "demand that the government halts all new oil and gas licences and consents".
As part of that statement, Charlotte Kirin, a 53-year-old social worker and parent from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, said: "In order to survive, we need to take action to stop new oil and gas. As part of that statement, Charlotte Kirin, a 53-year-old social worker and parent from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, said: "In order to survive, we need to take action to stop new oil and gas."
"For as long as the government pretends this isn't the priority."
🛣 BREAKING: M25 BLOCKED FOR SECOND DAY 🛣🚗 Approx 15 supporters of Just Stop Oil have climbed onto the overhead gantries of the #M25 at multiple locations — causing police to stop traffic — demanding that the Government halts all new oil and gas consents licences.#COP27 pic.twitter.com/6pa4XPt5DK🛣 BREAKING: M25 BLOCKED FOR SECOND DAY 🛣🚗 Approx 15 supporters of Just Stop Oil have climbed onto the overhead gantries of the #M25 at multiple locations — causing police to stop traffic — demanding that the Government halts all new oil and gas consents licences.#COP27 pic.twitter.com/6pa4XPt5DK
Hertfordshire Police said it had responded to reports of "protest activity" at junction 20 (Kings Langley), junctions 21a (Bricket Wood) and junction 22 (London Colney) of the M25.Hertfordshire Police said it had responded to reports of "protest activity" at junction 20 (Kings Langley), junctions 21a (Bricket Wood) and junction 22 (London Colney) of the M25.
It had closed some lanes for officers to assess the situation, it added.It had closed some lanes for officers to assess the situation, it added.
Essex Police provided a photograph of its officers making an arrest on TuesdayEssex Police provided a photograph of its officers making an arrest on Tuesday
Surrey Police said it had dealt with protesters who have climbed on to motorway gantries on the M25 between junctions seven (for the M23) and eight (Reigate) and eight and nine (Leatherhead), and junctions 12 (M3) and 13 (Staines). Surrey Police said it had dealt with protesters who climbed on to motorway gantries on the M25 between junctions seven (for the M23) and eight (Reigate), eight and nine (Leatherhead), and junctions 12 (M3) and 13 (Staines). A number of arrests were made.
"The activist on the motorway gantry between J7-8 has now been brought down and arrested," the force said.
National Highways said a daily average of 150,000 vehicles paid to use the Dartford bridge and tunnel, over and under the Thames, in 2021National Highways said a daily average of 150,000 vehicles paid to use the Dartford bridge and tunnel, over and under the Thames, in 2021
Traffic flows were expected return to normal in Surrey, the force said. Traffic flows were expected return to normal in Surrey, the force added.
Kent Police said two protesters had been arrested at junction 1b (Dartford) of the M25. The force said the motorway remained open, but motorists faced delays following the protest on the Essex side of the Thames estuary.Kent Police said two protesters had been arrested at junction 1b (Dartford) of the M25. The force said the motorway remained open, but motorists faced delays following the protest on the Essex side of the Thames estuary.
The Met Police said it was working with neighbouring forces "following further protest activity targeting the M25 this morning". The Met said it was working with neighbouring forces "following further protest activity targeting the M25 this morning".
It said eight people had been charged with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, after being arrested on Sunday, following attempts to cause disruption on the M25.
Essex Police said three people were charged with intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance, after being arrested at junctions 27 and 30 on Monday.
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