Climate change protesters 'swarming' major London roads to stop rush hour traffic

Groups of “swarming” climate change protesters are blocking major roads in central London as part of the escalating Extinction Rebellion movement.

Following on from its occupation of five Thames bridges on Saturday afternoon to call for greater political action against global warming, dozens of demonstrators in four different groups across the capital began blocking roads at 7.30am on Wednesday, near the height of the morning rush hour.

Bearing banners and placards, the activists are preventing cars, buses and lorries from passing for seven-minute periods, then stepping aside for two minute intervals before repeating the cycle.

Protesters blocking off both sides of Vauxhall Bridge Road told The Independent they planned to continue the protest until 3pm, possibly moving on to other locations. They began the demonstration at Lambeth Bridge.

The demonstration has been met with an angry response by frustrated motorists commuting to work and those taking part were harangued by some members of the public.

Protesters are also understood to have begun the day blocking roads at Tower Bridge, Earl’s Court and Elephant and Castle.

“Of course people are going to be annoyed to sit in traffic, no one wants top sit in traffic,” said George, an organiser at Extinction Rebellion who wished not to provide his surname.

Adding he was “truly sorry” to motorists for the disruption, George said action was necessary in light of the IPCC report last month which said the world has 12 years to avert an environmental catastrophe.

Climate change is ”heading towards the abyss”, George said. “Disruption, unfortunately, is absolutely necessary to force a conversation.”

Darren Cooper, a climate activist who signed up to Extinction Rebellion after Saturday’s protest, said he was protesting due to the “criminally negligent” government and “right-wing billionaires who have a vested interest in fossil fuels”.

Referencing Theresa May’s infamous “go home” vans, and the Windrush scandal, Mr Cooper said the government was not being held responsible for its actions.

“We need disruption to bring attention to the problem because we are running out of time,” he said.

A female protester added: “People are sick of being told it’s enough to sign a petition when we’re faced with extinction.”

One driver stuck in traffic on Albert Embankment, however, said the demonstration was “causing more pollution” and that he was going to be late to work.

“It ain’t going to make a f****** difference bruv, it makes people hate you more,” one furious pedestrian shouted at protesters.

Jim Davidson, an English comedian and former TV presenter, was spotted angrily remonstrating against protesters from his car.

"Why aren’t you moving them?” Davidson reportedly shouted at police, before telling demonstrators who tried to approach him he did not talk to "lefties", according to the BBC.

Police were at the scene at Vauxhall Bridge, and demonstrators said they were “absolutely” ready to be arrested. None had been made at the time of publication.

The Independent has contacted the Metropolitan Police for comment.

Extinction Rebellion plans on similar protests in London on Thursday and Friday.