Insulate Britain storms M25 again after branding injunction form of 'bullying'

The group blocked off the Essex road at 8am this morning

This is Insulate Britain’s seventeenth day of protests, despite a High Court injunction. (Insulate Britain)

Protesters from Insulate Britain tried to block the M25 at rush hour after branding a court injunction put in place against them a form of “bullying”.

Police were called after around 14 protestors blocked the motorway at 8am on Friday, but said the southbound carriageway had now reopened.

Protestors have since begun walking towards incoming traffic on the motorway instead of sitting down to obstruct cars,  after “feedback” from frustrated drivers.

A spokeperson from Insulate Britain, called Biff, said: “We’re not planning to stop traffic but it could slow down to five miles an hour.”

This is Insulate Britain’s seventeenth day of protests, including on Wednesday where protestors had ink thrown on them by an angered driver.

Since 13 September, demonstrations have taken place on busy motorways including the M25 and A20, which were described as “incredibly dangerous” and “unpredictable” by National Highways.

A High Court court injunction bans the group from obstructing traffic and prevents access to 4,300 miles of major A-roads and motorways.

The group acknowledged they were acting against the High Court injuction, which they have described as “bullying”.

Police were called to protests at around 8am, and the southbound end of the M25 carriage has since repoened. (Essex Police/Twitter)

Dr Diana Warner, a member of Insulate Britain, told the court: “We are talking about an existential emergency, not about people being late to their jobs or losing a bit of money, we need to change what we’re doing for everybody’s future.

“This is an example of bullying, no other groups are being singled out for doing worse, it’s bullying and I hope this court doesn’t sanction it.”

Another member of the group declared: “This is unfair, it is bullying and a questionable politicisation of the legal system.”

This comes after a High Court said the protests had an economic cost of almost £900,000.

Saira Kabir Sheikh QC said: “The estimated, lower bound, costs of these protests on drivers are substantial, with the lowest still causing £20,124 in loss and the most impactful, so far, costing an estimated £324,107.

“This does not account for any costs associated with missed appointments, disruption to manufacturing or retail, missed transportation slots at airports or ports, or the direct cost to police or National Highways of managing the incidents.”

Ms Sheikh said Duncan Smith, the acting executive director of operations of National Highways, warned it is “only a matter of time” before a “serious incident” happens as the result of blocking roads during protests.