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M25 junctions blocked by Insulate Britain campaigners M25 junctions blocked by Insulate Britain campaigners
(32 minutes later)
Aerial footage shows long queues of traffic on Monday morningAerial footage shows long queues of traffic on Monday morning
Climate change protesters have blocked five M25 junctions, causing long tailbacks and disruption for motorists.Climate change protesters have blocked five M25 junctions, causing long tailbacks and disruption for motorists.
There have been protests at junctions 20 for Kings Langley, Herts, 14 for Heathrow terminal four, three for Swanley in Kent, six for Godstone, Surrey and 31 for Lakeside, Essex.There have been protests at junctions 20 for Kings Langley, Herts, 14 for Heathrow terminal four, three for Swanley in Kent, six for Godstone, Surrey and 31 for Lakeside, Essex.
Police said more than 30 people had been arrested for highways obstruction. Police said 42 people had been arrested for highways obstruction.
Protest group Insulate Britain said action would go on until a "meaningful commitment" was made.Protest group Insulate Britain said action would go on until a "meaningful commitment" was made.
It tweeted it was "disrupting the M25" to "demand the government insulate Britain".It tweeted it was "disrupting the M25" to "demand the government insulate Britain".
Hertfordshire Police said 18 people were arrested after officers were called to a protest near junction 20 at about 08:00 BST.Hertfordshire Police said 18 people were arrested after officers were called to a protest near junction 20 at about 08:00 BST.
Supt Adam Willmot said: "Protesters ignored police requests to move location, so we took robust action to enable roads to be reopened and to remove the protesters causing obstructions."Supt Adam Willmot said: "Protesters ignored police requests to move location, so we took robust action to enable roads to be reopened and to remove the protesters causing obstructions."
The force closed the slip roads in both directions, which led to "congestion and delays on both the M25 and the A41", but the closures had lifted by 10:20 BST.The force closed the slip roads in both directions, which led to "congestion and delays on both the M25 and the A41", but the closures had lifted by 10:20 BST.
The group said action would go on until a "meaningful commitment" was made by the governmentThe group said action would go on until a "meaningful commitment" was made by the government
The protests led to delays on the M25 as slip roads were closedThe protests led to delays on the M25 as slip roads were closed
Essex Police said 12 people were arrested after it was called to reports that a number of people were blocking the road near junction 31 just before 08:15 BST.Essex Police said 12 people were arrested after it was called to reports that a number of people were blocking the road near junction 31 just before 08:15 BST.
It said officers worked to resolve the situation "quickly and safely", which included shutting the slip road. It said officers worked to resolve the situation "quickly and safely", which included shutting the slip road. It has now reopened.
Ch Insp Paul Austin said the action caused "significant disruption" and thanked drivers for their "patience and understanding."Ch Insp Paul Austin said the action caused "significant disruption" and thanked drivers for their "patience and understanding."
Police in Surrey and Essex said they had made arrestsPolice in Surrey and Essex said they had made arrests
Traffic backed up near the exit for HeathrowTraffic backed up near the exit for Heathrow
⚠️ SLIP CLOSURE ⚠️ #M25 #J14 - The exit slip to @HeathrowAirport Terminal 4 is currently closed due to a police incident. Please allow extra time for your journey. Kent Police has confirmed that 12 people were arrested at the junction where the B1273 and the M25 meet at junction three, near Swanley.
National Highways said the exit slip road to Heathrow terminal four had been closed and Surrey Police said it was called just before 08:00 BST to a protest at junction six, where the slip road had been closed with a diversion set up. It said it was called at 08:10 BST to a group of people obstructing the roundabout. The road is now clear.
Surrey Police tweeted that a number of people had been arrested following protests at junctions six and 14. ✅ CLEARED ✅ The earlier police incident at #M25 #J14 has now been cleared and all associated closures have been lifted. Thank you for your patience. https://t.co/Qq98eKwA0O
Surrey Police said it was called just before 08:00 BST to a protest at junction six, where the slip road had been closed with a diversion set up.
It tweeted that a number of people had been arrested following protests at junctions six and 14.
Earlier, the exit slip road to Heathrow terminal four had been closed. National Highways has confirmed that the incident at junction 14 had been cleared and "all associated closures have been lifted" and that both exit slip roads at junction six had also reopened.
A number of people have been arrested following protests at J6 +14 M25 8am today. Protesters from Insulate Britain part of a coordinated protest also affected other m/way junctions. Diversions set up+working hard to reopen m/way but please plan journeys accordingly this morning.A number of people have been arrested following protests at J6 +14 M25 8am today. Protesters from Insulate Britain part of a coordinated protest also affected other m/way junctions. Diversions set up+working hard to reopen m/way but please plan journeys accordingly this morning.
Kent Police said it was called at 08:10 BST to a group of people obstructing the roundabout at junction three, where the B1273 and the M25 meet.
It said officers were "engaging with the individuals involved".
No arrests have been reported there.
Police forces have advised motorists to use alternative routes.
Highways England said police forces were taking the lead at each location but it was likely to tweet details to road users as it got more information.
Police forces advised motorists to use alternative routesPolice forces advised motorists to use alternative routes
Some drivers were frustrated with the delays but others tweeted their support.Some drivers were frustrated with the delays but others tweeted their support.
Clive Farnham from Crawley tweeted that they should "have a protest on the side of the road " and "allow others to go about their business" while Laura asked the group if they had "thought about the pollution you are causing to the environment with the tailbacks of 15/20 miles on several sections of the m25 which makes it all a joke". Clive Farnham from Crawley tweeted that they should "have a protest on the side of the road " and "allow others to go about their business", while Laura asked the group if they had "thought about the pollution you are causing to the environment with the tailbacks of 15/20 miles on several sections of the m25 which makes it all a joke".
Green Party member, Matt Hill, thanked the protesters and tweeted that while his usual 20-minute journey took 90 minutes and he was "frustrated and concerned" that his son was late for college, he was "nowhere near as concerned as I am for his future if we don't act urgently to address our climate emergency". Green Party member, Matt Hill, thanked the protesters and tweeted that while he was "frustrated and concerned" that his son was late for college, he was "nowhere near as concerned as I am for his future if we don't act urgently to address our climate emergency".
In a statement on its website, Insulate Britain said that Monday's disruption was "just the start".In a statement on its website, Insulate Britain said that Monday's disruption was "just the start".
"Actions will continue until the government makes a meaningful commitment to insulate Britain's 29 million leaky homes, some of the oldest and most energy inefficient in Europe," it said."Actions will continue until the government makes a meaningful commitment to insulate Britain's 29 million leaky homes, some of the oldest and most energy inefficient in Europe," it said.
It added that its demands were delivered by hand to 10 Downing Street on 21 August, but so far no-one in government had responded.It added that its demands were delivered by hand to 10 Downing Street on 21 August, but so far no-one in government had responded.
Zoe Cohen from Insulate Britain told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We regret having to do this but we really have no other option. They're a group of ordinary people who've come together and put their bodies on the line."They're doing this because they're desperate for meaningful action from the government, and insulating our homes is the most efficient way to reduce our emissions and avoid climate catastrophe." Zoe Cohen from Insulate Britain told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We regret having to do this but we really have no other option. They're a group of ordinary people who've come together and put their bodies on the line.
"They're doing this because they're desperate for meaningful action from the government, and insulating our homes is the most efficient way to reduce our emissions and avoid climate catastrophe."
Supporter Liam Norton, 36, from London, said he was "shocked at the lack of significant action" from the government.Supporter Liam Norton, 36, from London, said he was "shocked at the lack of significant action" from the government.
"It's a no-brainer. Insulating Britain will reduce emissions, provide hundreds of thousands of jobs and stop our elderly dying in cold homes each winter," he said."It's a no-brainer. Insulating Britain will reduce emissions, provide hundreds of thousands of jobs and stop our elderly dying in cold homes each winter," he said.
"So stop messing about, Boris, and get on with the job."So stop messing about, Boris, and get on with the job.
"As soon as a statement is made that we can trust and is meaningful, we will get off the roads.""As soon as a statement is made that we can trust and is meaningful, we will get off the roads."
The BBC has approached the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for comment.The BBC has approached the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for comment.
The protesters say their goal is to raise the profile of insulation as an issue, They say it's absolutely central to tackling carbon emissions. There's definitely truth in that - heating our homes is a big component of personal carbon emissions. The protesters say their goal is to raise the profile of insulation as an issue. They say it's absolutely central to tackling carbon emissions. There's definitely truth in that - heating our homes is a big component of personal carbon emissions.
The AA say this is dangerous: they're blocking the road and could cause disruption to emergency vehicles. They say this backfires because it creates more delays and vehicles stuck in traffic create more emissions, so this is a "lose" for the protesters.The AA say this is dangerous: they're blocking the road and could cause disruption to emergency vehicles. They say this backfires because it creates more delays and vehicles stuck in traffic create more emissions, so this is a "lose" for the protesters.
The protesters say how else do you raise issues like insulation - get you and me talking about them - without these kinds of protests? It's a really interesting dilemma and an interesting evolution of direct action around climate.The protesters say how else do you raise issues like insulation - get you and me talking about them - without these kinds of protests? It's a really interesting dilemma and an interesting evolution of direct action around climate.
Do they stop at motorways? Where else are they going to go - and what other single-issue direct action protest groups might we see form?Do they stop at motorways? Where else are they going to go - and what other single-issue direct action protest groups might we see form?
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