Just Stop Oil protesters have returned to the M25 and Dartford crossing as another morning of chaos looms for London commuters on Tuesday.
Around 15 activists scaled overhead metal structures at a number of junctions on the motorway at about 7am, with one protester climbing a gantry on the north-bound lane of the M25 at the Dartford crossing.
The Dartford tunnel was shut from around 7.30am but reopened shortly beore 9am, though traffic was left tailing back for six miles.
As of about 1pm, all sections of the M25 had reopened, according to National Highways.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed 16 protesters were arrested during Tuesday morning’s protests, in a joint operation by the Met, along with Hertfordshire Police, Essex Police and Surrey Police.
🦺 Charlotte Kirin, 53, a social worker, carer and parent from Bury St. Edmunds said:
— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) November 8, 2022
“In order to survive, we need to take action to stop new oil and gas. For as long as the Government pretend this isn’t the priority, I will do what I can to demand a response.#COP27Egypt pic.twitter.com/7dr0OpslkX
Matt Twist, assistant commissioner in Met Operations at the Met Police, slammed the “irresponsible action” by protesters, which he said would “bring misery to thousands of commuters and businesses”.
At one point, around six separate sections of the major orbital were shut, as National Highways warned road users of “long delays”.
Hertfordshire Police said on Twitter shortly before 7.30am: “Officers are on scene and dealing with protesters who have climbed on to motorway gantries between J8-9 and J12-13 along the M25 this morning. Traffic is currently stopped in both directions at these junctions. Thanks for your patience, we’ll update as soon as possible.”
Essex Police added at 7.45am: “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.”
A total of 16 protesters on the M25 have been arrested in a joint operation this morning by Met police and other neighbouring forces including @EssexPoliceUK, @SurreyPolice and @kent_police, Tuesday 8 November.
— Metropolitan Police Events (@MetPoliceEvents) November 8, 2022
Activists targeted gantries between junctions 7 and 8, junctions 8 and 9, and junctions 12 and 13, police said.
Just Stop Oil said in a statement: “From 7am, approximately 15 supporters of Just Stop Oil climbed onto the overhead gantries of the M25 in multiple locations, both clockwise and anti-clockwise causing police to halt traffic.”
In a video posted on Twitter, Just Stop Oil activist Charlotte Kirin from Bury St Edmunds, who was atop a gantry at junction 31 on the M25 on Tuesday morning, explained her motivations.
Reports that JSO activists have scaled motorway gantries in @EssexPoliceUK @SurreyPolice & @HertsPolice areas, this irresponsible action / crime will bring misery to thousands of commuters & businesses. @MetPoliceEvents will support other SE forces in any way needed to resolve.
— Matt Twist (@MattTwistMPS) November 8, 2022
“I’m a parent, a social worker, a carer for my mother who has Alzheimer’s disease, and I’m on a gantry at junction 31 northbound of the M25, supporting Just Stop Oil’s demands for no new oil and gas licences and a fair transition to sustainable energy so that we can all have a future,” the 53-year-old said.
National Highways warned drivers on the M25 to expect lengthy delays.
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/SAD8gCAtkS
— Essex Police (@EssexPoliceUK) November 8, 2022
It said: “South-East@HighwaysSEASTTraffic is being held northbound at the #A282 #DartfordCrossing due to an @EssexPoliceUK led incident. There are delays of 60 minutes and 5 miles of congestion on the approach. Road users may wish to reroute or delay their journey.”
The protest comes after similar action on Monday, which saw at least 23 Just Stop Oil protesters climb gantries at M25 junctions in London, Surrey, Essex and Kent, causing traffic chaos.
The activist group has been carrying out regular protests - including daily action throughout October - as it calls for the Government to halt all new oil and gas licences.
