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Ten people have been arrested after Insulate Britain protesters caused major disruption on the M25 this morning by walking on the white lines between the lanes of oncoming traffic.
The action marks the 16th protest by the eco activists, and follows the arrest of 32 people on Wednesday after the group blocked traffic on Crossways Boulevard and the Littlebrook Interchange near the Dartford Crossing, as well as roads in central London.
This morning, protesters targeted the anti-clockwise M25 near Junction 29, causing delays for drivers heading from Kent into Essex. All lanes have since reopened.
An Essex Police spokesman said: "We have acted quickly to make arrests and minimise disruption on the M25 this morning, Friday 29 October.
"We were called around 8am this morning with reports that a number of people had been seen walking into the traffic to block both carriageways between Junctions 28 and 29.
"Officers responded swiftly to remove people from the road and both carriageways were reopened within thirty minutes.
"We have made a total of 10 arrests."
'Not only will incidents of this nature be frustrating for road users trying to reach their destination, walking into fast moving traffic is extremely dangerous.'
Chief Inspector Lee Devall added: “Not only will incidents of this nature be frustrating for road users trying to reach their destination, walking into fast moving traffic is extremely dangerous.
“I’d like to thank road users today for their patience and understanding.
“You’ve helped us to clear the area quickly, to keep people safe, minimise disruption, and keep Essex moving.
“Our teams are experienced at dealing with incidents which cause significant disruption and are well prepared for them.
“We will continue to deal with these incidents robustly.”
The groups says the campaign is a movement of "nonviolent civil resistance", and aims to push the Prime Minister to "get on with the job of insulating Britain's homes which is the best first step to cutting our carbon emissions."
Liam Norton from Insulate Britain said: “In a couple of days COP 26 will start in Glasgow and the eyes of the world will be on this country.
"Britain should be leading the world with radical plans to decarbonise our society.
"What we have instead is a budget that is yet another act of treason by this government upon its own people.
"It is a plan that facilitates mass murder. The citizens of this country should be in open revolt. We need change and we need it quickly.
'We ask all decent ordinary people to join us, to rise up and take part in nonviolent civil resistance against tyranny.'
“It is clear that this government has no intention of getting on with the job that they were elected to do. No intention of protecting the country from climate collapse. Our children’s futures have been trashed. Our country sold out.
"We have been betrayed by the traitors now in power. We ask all decent ordinary people to join us, to rise up and take part in nonviolent civil resistance against tyranny.”
The action follows this week’s budget and spending review announced by the Chancellor – with the protestors also noting Rishi Sunak failed to use the word “climate” even once, and said he would cut the rate of air passenger duty on domestic flights and freeze fuel duty for a 12th year running.
Insulate Britain argues that insulating homes across the country will avoid 8,500 fuel poverty deaths and help struggling families pay their energy bills this winter.
