M25 Climate Protest: 30 Arrests After Protesters Block Highway and Cause Significant Rush Hour Delay

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Police have arrested at least 30 people after climate-crisis protesters blocked the M25 motorway during the morning rush hour, causing major delays.

Insulate Britain has been organizing demonstrations in several locations including Hertfordshire, Surrey, Kent and Essex since around 8am.

About 20 protesters were filmed sitting in the middle of the road at Junction 20 in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, blocking access to the roundabout from both sides.

There have also been reports of demonstrations at Junction 3 in Swanley, Junction 6 in Goodstone, Junction 14 in Heathrow, Junction 30 in Thurrock and Junction 31 in Lakeside/Burfleet.

A video posted by Paras Bagthalia on Twitter showed protesters holding signs blocking all four lanes of the highway, as well as the ramp, during one incident this morning.

Separate footage shared online showed a motorist trying to drag a protester off the road as anger flared during another incident before a police car appeared.

Essex Police confirmed that 12 people were arrested on suspicion of obstructing the highways after the road was closed near Interchange 31 heading to Lakeside.

The force said it received a call shortly before 8:15 a.m. and the road reopened by 10.45 a.m. after “officers worked to resolve the situation quickly and safely.”

Hertfordshire Police later confirmed they had arrested 18 people, while Surrey Police also said “a number of people” had been arrested.

Surrey police said diversions were in place and officers were “working hard to reopen the highway” but advised anyone traveling in the area to plan their trip.

Kent Police added: “Motorists attempting to join the M25 from Swanley, at Junction 3, may encounter delays due to an obstruction caused by a group of people.

Our officers are at the scene and are communicating with those involved.

Traffic is moving and is diverted to join the M25 at Junction 4.

Insulate Britain is calling on the government to “take on the task of isolating Britain’s homes”.

The new group tweeted: “We’re disrupting the M25. Why? We’re calling on the government and BorisJohnson to create hundreds of thousands of jobs, cut our emissions, and save lives.”

Edmund King, president of the AA, said the demonstration was “counterproductive” because more delays cause more emissions.

He said: “This measure is not only incredibly dangerous in endangering lives but is counterproductive from an environmental point of view by causing more delays and more vehicle emissions.

“These are some of the busiest sections of the M25 where tens of thousands of drivers will be affected and will have a negative impact on economic activity.”

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