The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge has now been closed for two days running, after Just Stop Oil protesters scaled the bridge's masts on Monday morning.

With two protesters camped out over the Dartford Crossing in hammocks hung from the bridge's cables, and police seemingly no closer to ending the protest, there's no end in sight for the disruption.

Here we try and answer your questions...

What are police doing?
Essex Police released a statement yesterday which said officers were "continuing to work with partners, including National Highways and Thurrock Council, to safely resolve the situation on the Dartford Crossing where two people are at height."

Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said they were "doing all we can to resolve this situation quickly and safely" but added: “It is a complex situation due to the height the people on the bridge are at.

“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. The impact is far reaching, especially for the local community."

“I would again like to re-iterate my thanks to the public for their patience and understanding. I assure them that we continue to work with our partners to bring this dangerous and irresponsible disruption to an end."

Essex Police have this afternoon brought a special raised platform to the site in an effort to tackle the protest.

Why can't they open the road?

Police explained that National Highways, who have responsibility for the bridge, have made an assessment that it is not currently safe to re-open the road.

Safety concerns are exacerbated by the fact the hammocks are spanning the bridge.

Aside from the obvious risk to the protesters, the potential for falling objects would create a further risk to vehicles underneath.

How long is it likely to be like this?

Yesterday Just Stop Oil said they expected the bridge would remain shut for at least 24 hours, but today confirmed that they would remain on the bridge until they were brought down.

One of the protestors, 39-year-old bridge designer Morgan Trowland posted a video from the bridge this morning explaining, they would remain on the bridge until the government took meaningful action over gas extraction.

"We've just survived the first night up here," he said.

"It was pretty cold and didn't sleep much but I'm ok, and we're up here until the government makes a meaningful statement to cancel all new licenses of consent for oil and gas extraction, because oil and gas is killing us now and driving millions into poverty."

Just Stop Oil confirmed the protestors have food and water supplies, but were unable to provide further detail.

Why are the protestors up there?

Just Stop Oil wants to stop the extraction and use of oil, along with of all other fossil fuels, in the UK.

A statement on the Just Stop Oil condenses the group's ambition to a basic "demand" - "That the UK government makes a statement that it will immediately halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK."

What's the plan to stop them doing it?

Can aerial teams take action to bring down the protesters?

With reports of fireworks being aimed at them by members of the public, it would appear police need to do something sooner rather than later.

This morning police remained tight-lipped about action to end the protest, but have now brought in a raised platform.

Police tackling the protest on the QEII Bridge have brought in a special raised platform.

The platform, which arrived around 4pm, will allow specialists to work at height and continue "meaningful engagement" with the two protestors.