Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

M25 blocked by Insulate Britain protesters for seventh time as they defy court orders

The protesters have defied a court injunction implemented by Grant Shapps

Thomas Kingsley
Wednesday 29 September 2021 19:39 BST
Comments
Driver captures moment Insulate Britain protesters were arrested on Monday morning

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Environmental group Insulate Britain has defied a court order to block the M25 for the seventh time in two weeks.

The group blocked Junction 3 of the motorway, causing more disruption following an injunction implemented by Grant Shapps and Priti Patel, which would see protesters face prosecution if caught blocking the motorway.

Kent Police confirmed that it was responding to disruption at Junction 3 of the M25.

“We are currently in attendance at J3 of the M25 (Swanley Interchange) due to a group of protesters blocking the roundabout. Please expect delays and find alternative routes if possible whilst we work with @HighwaysSEAST to remove the protesters and reopen the roundabout,” Kent Police wrote on Twitter.

Kent Police announced later in the morning that the junction was now open and 11 arrests were made as a result of the disruption, but delays would still remain due to a backlog of traffic.

Kent Police later confirmed that an additional 16 protesters were arrested following reports that protesters had glued themselves to a road near Swanley roundabout on the same motorway over five hours after the morning’s disruptions. Kent Police said officers were on the scene “within three minutes” and arrested the protesters on suspicion of obstructing the highway and conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

A total of 27 protests were made today.

A spokesperson from Insulate Britain said: “We are going nowhere. You can raid our savings. You can confiscate our property. You can deny us our liberty and put us behind bars.

“But shooting the messenger can never destroy the message: that this country is going to hell unless you take emergency action to stop putting carbon into the air. Boris get on with the job.”

More than 50 people were arrested on Monday following protests blocking roads to Heathrow for more than three hours. However, they were released pending investigation.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in