M25 traffic protest: Climate campaigners hurting their own cause with blockades, says Boris Johnson
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Your support makes all the difference.As climate campaigners blocked the M25 for the fourth time in a week on Monday morning, Boris Johnson accused them of hurting their own cause.
Speaking to reporters en route to New York, Mr Johnson said: “I don’t think these people do any favours to their cause. I think what they do is detract from a very important moral mission that is widely shared now by the people of this country.”
Mr Johnson is expected to deliver remarks at the United Nations General Assembly this week, urging world leaders to spend more in the fight against the climate crisis.
Meanwhile, protests staged this morning by Insulate Britain blocking major motorways across the country have been cleared by police, with 29 people arrested in Hertfordshire and 12 arrested in Kent.
Insulate Britain has been campaigning for two policy changes from the government. They want the government to commit to insulating all social housing in Britain by 2025. They also want the government to reduce the effects of climate change, transitioning towards a full decarbonisation of society.
Last week, protests blocked several parts of the M25 in Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire, including Junction 9 in Leatherhead, and Junction 6 in Godstone. Junction 1 of the M3 was also targeted in Sunbury, bringing traffic to a halt on Friday.
The group has said that its actions will continue until the government makes a “meaningful commitment to insulate all of Britain’s 29 million leaky homes by 2030, which are among the oldest and most energy inefficient in Europe.”
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the M25 protests. Stay tuned for updates.
Protesters block M25 in Rickmansworth
Monday’s Insulate Britain protests began at Junction 18 of the M25 in Rickmansworth.
At 8am, around 15 protesters wearing orange bibs arrived and blocked the slip road at Junction 18, preventing motorists from commuting to work.
Drivers could be heard angrily honking their horns and yelling at the demonstrators.
LBC reported that one driver told the activists: “I know what you’re fighting, I completely agree, this is a really good idea, but this is not the way to do it.
“You’re causing more pollution with all these cars sitting here just doing f*** all.
“You’re making people hate you. Go and protest London, go down to Downing Street.”
LBC’s Nick Ferrari enraged by Insulate Britain’s M25 blockade
LBC presenter Nick Ferrari was enraged over Insulate Britain’s demonstrations, blocking the M25 over the past week.
After a caller told LBC that his mother was left partially paralysed from a stroke, after being being delayed by six hours in traffic by climate protesters, Mr Ferrari asked an Insulate Britain spokesperson: “When are you going to stop with these lame apologies and accept this is not the way to protest?”
“That woman effectively dying in front of her son’s eyes is down to you and your colleagues.”
My colleague Ross Martin-Pavitt reports.
Watch: LBC's Nick Ferrari enraged by Insulate Britain's M25 blockade
LBC’s Nick Ferrari explodes with anger as he challenges an Insulate Britain climate protester over the group’s blocking of the M25.A devastated caller told LBC his mother had been left partially paralysed from a stroke, after being delayed six hours in traffic by climate protesters, with the LBC host challenging Insulate Britain spokesperson Liam Norton over the matter.Mr.Ferrari said : "That woman effectively dying in front of her son’s eyes is down to you and your colleagues, when are you going to stop with these lame apologies and accept this is not the way to protest?".
Police arrest 13 at Junction 18
Hertfordshire Police were called to Junction 18 of the M25 near Rickmansworth, shortly after 8am to respond to the Insulate Britain protest.
A statement from the Hertfordshire Police said: “Police were called at 8.12am today (Monday 20 September) to reports of protestors near junction 18 (Chorleywood) of the M25, several of which were glued to the carriageway. 13 people have been arrested. The road has been partially re-opened.”
The force added that officers were also called to a separate protest near junction 4 of the Stanborough interchange.
Hertfordshire Police: 29 arrests in relation to the road blockades
Hertfordshire Police have arrested 29 people this morning in response to Insulate Britain’s road blockades along the M25 and the A1M.
While 13 people were arrested at Junction 18 of the M25, police were also called to a demonstration near Junction 4 of the A1M, where 16 demonstrators were arrested, some of whom they said were “glued to the carriageway”.
Statement from Chief Superintendent Nick Caveney on Insulate Britain Protests
In response to the Insulate Britain protests blocking the M25 and the A1M this morning, Hertfordshire Chief Superintendent Nick Caveney said that the police were working to “minimise any disruption” caused by the “incredibly dangerous” protests.
“Protestors have made it clear that they intend to continue causing disruption. Not only is purposely blocking a highway incredibly dangerous, it also affects thousands of members of the public who are stuck in delays as a result.
“We have robust plans in place in order to minimise any disruption and to allow us to make arrests as quickly as we possibly can. This includes, but is not limited to, monitoring areas that have been identified as possible protest targets.
“Officers were on the scene within minutes of being alerted to protest activity, allowing us to put diversions in place to ease the traffic and to make numerous arrests. All protestors involved in this morning’s protests have been arrested and will be taken to custody.
“We are working closely with other affected forces to ensure that any further activity is dealt with effectively and efficiently.
“I understand and appreciate the frustration regarding the considerable delays and inconvenience that has occurred as a result of the protests.
“We have now made a total of 76 arrests in relation to protest activity across Hertfordshire over the last week. Please be assured that a full investigation is underway, and we are in the process of gathering evidence in order to ensure that those breaking the law are brought to justice.”
M25 protests: Climate activists block motorway for fourth time in a week
Climate activists from Insulate Britain continued their demonstration blocking traffic along the M25 this morning, with some protesters gluing themselves to the road.
My colleague Cal Byrne reports.
M25 protests: Climate activists block motorway for fourth time in a week
Insulate Britain continued their demonstration on the M25 on the morning of Monday (20 September) in Hertfordshire, blocking traffic along the motorway with some protesters gluing themselves to the ground.The climate protesters want the government to commit to insulating all social housing in Britain by 2025 and reduce the effects of climate change by moving towards a full decarbonisation of society in the UK.You can see police removing protesters from the road in the above video, with one man clearly glued to the surface of the motorway.
Transport Secretary criticises protest disrupting the M25
Transport Secretary Grant Schapps criticised the climate protesters disrupting the M25 on Monday morning.
He told the PA news agency: “I think it’s irresponsible, I think it’s dangerous.
“It’s completely counterproductive as well because they’re actually creating pollution they want to get rid of by having cars standing still, so there’s no justification for that kind of action.
“I call on them to stop and the police to intervene.”
He added that the police would “have to work out their approach and tactics,” to respond to these kinds of demonstrations, adding, “it’s not right for our roads to be blocked for illegal protests like this to take place, and for it to happen repetitively”.
Protesters paint M25 blue in Hertfordshire
While blocking traffic at Junction 18 of the M25 this morning, protesters used blue paint to write “Insulate Britain” and draw a heart on the asphalt.
Insulate Britain said that the paint would lead to “further disruption” as it would require the road to be cleaned.
Insulate Britain statement
Insulate Britain issued a statement on Monday morning, after blocking the M25 in Hertfordshire.
“Early this morning, Insulate Britain blocked the M25 for a fourth time.
“People blocked slip roads and the M25 carriageway itself in a number of locations. Once again, blue paint was poured onto the road, which will require cleaning, leading to further disruption.”
It added: “actions will continue until the government makes a meaningful commitment to insulate all of Britain’s 29 million leaky homes by 2030, and all social housing by 2025.
The group also said that only one person who was arrested during the group’s demonstrations over the past week had been placed on remand.
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