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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 by protesters "unacceptable"Essex Police called the action by protesters "unacceptable"
Multiple arrests have been made after a second day of widespread disruption by protesters on the M25.Multiple arrests have been made after a second day of widespread disruption by protesters on the M25.
The motorway was blocked and gantries were climbed in Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey by Just Stop Oil activists.The motorway was blocked and gantries were climbed in Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey by Just Stop Oil activists.
They said the action was to "demand that the government halts all new oil and gas licences and consents".They said the action was to "demand that the government halts all new oil and gas licences and consents".
The Dartford Tunnel has faced disruption since 07:00 GMT and one of the tunnels remains closed. The Dartford tunnels had faced disruption since 07:00 GMT, but they have since reopened.
The Metropolitan Police (Met) said 16 protesters had been arrested on the M25 in a joint operation with Essex, Surrey and Kent police forces. Congestions remains in some areas, but much of the traffic has begun returning to normal.
Specially trained officers worked to get to those at height down from the gantries
The disruption comes as the COP27 climate summit is held in Egypt. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told world leaders the war in Ukraine was a reason to act faster to tackle climate change.
Just Stop Oil said its supporters climbed gantries at multiple locations on the M25.
The Metropolitan Police (Met) said 16 protesters were arrested on the motorway in a joint operation with other county police forces.
It said teams trained to safely remove people who attached themselves to a structure, including those at height, had been used.
On Sunday, the High Court granted an injunction preventing M25 protests, meaning anyone involved in any such protest could be found in contempt of court.On Sunday, the High Court granted an injunction preventing M25 protests, meaning anyone involved in any such protest could be found in contempt of court.
The disruption comes as the COP27 climate summit is held in Egypt. Essex Police officers made a number of arrests on Tuesday
Police officers remained at the scene at the northern end of the Dartford Crossing, Essex Police said Police officers were patrolling the area around the Dartford Crossing
The Met said teams trained to safely remove people who attached themselves to a structure, including those at height, had been used. The affected locations on Tuesday were:
The affected locations were:
Essex - Junction 27 (Epping), Junction 30 (Lakeside) and Junction 31 (Dartford Crossing)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)Herts - Junction 20 (Kings Langley), Junction 21a (Bricket Wood), Junction 22 (London Conley) and Junction 26 (Cheshunt)
Kent - Junction 1b (Dartford)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)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)London - Junctions 14 to 15 (Slough)
Police believe some of those involved in the demonstrations could have breached a High Court injunction obtained by National Highways.
Just Stop Oil said in a statement: "We will not be intimidated by changes to the law, we will not be stopped by private injunctions sought to silence peaceful people.Just Stop Oil said in a statement: "We will not be intimidated by changes to the law, we will not be stopped by private injunctions sought to silence peaceful people.
"Our supporters understand that these are irrelevant when set against mass starvation, slaughter, the loss of our rights, freedoms and communities.""Our supporters understand that these are irrelevant when set against mass starvation, slaughter, the loss of our rights, freedoms and communities."
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. Police "responded quickly" to the protesters, Essex Police said
Both tunnels of the northbound crossing were closed, but one reopened at about 08:45. Earlier in the day, Essex Police warned protests would cause "major disruption" to motorists driving from Kent into Essex via the A282 Dartford crossing.
Both tunnels of the northbound crossing were closed, but one reopened at about 08:45. Both were reopened by about 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 a gantry. Ch Supt Simon Anslow, of Essex Police, 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.
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."
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 said about 15 of its supporters climbed gantries at "multiple locations". One motorist stuck in the queues said they were trying to get to hospital to see their dying 93-year-old cousin.
In its statement, activist 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." "To the imbeciles protesting on the M25, I am sitting with the engine off while the police remove them," they said.
Tony Bambury, from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, told the BBC he got caught up in the demonstrations on Monday. He was attempting to travel to Basildon in Essex for his father's funeral.
He said he had left two-and-a-half hours for the 67-mile (108km) journey, but travelled no more than 35 miles in three hours.
"I will never, ever forgive these people for what they've done to me. These people have made this immeasurably worse for me and my family," he said.
🛣 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.
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 Tuesday
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.
National Highways said a daily average of 150,000 vehicles paid to use the Dartford bridge and tunnel, over and under the Thames, in 2021
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 said eight people had been charged with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance after being arrested on Sunday, ahead of action on the M25 this week.The Met said eight people had been charged with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance after being arrested on Sunday, ahead of action on the M25 this week.
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.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.
National Highways said a daily average of 150,000 vehicles paid to use the Dartford crossing, over and under the River Thames, in 2021
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