Insulate Britain: Motorists' fury as climate activists block M25 during rush hour
The Metropolitan Police said "arrests have been made" after a number of people glued themselves to the motorway and a busy London road - however, the group said it would move out of the way for emergency vehicles.
Friday 8 October 2021 12:38, UK
Motorists reacted with fury after Insulate Britain protesters blocked the M25 during rush hour on Friday morning - as climate activists also halted traffic at a key London roundabout.
Demonstrators held a protest at Junction 25 of the M25 at Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, causing long queues.
One woman caught up in the tailback told demonstrators they were "a disgrace, an absolute disgrace".
"My daughter is late to school," she said. "You are messing with children's education because you are selfish."
Insulate Britain campaigners also blocked the A501 at Old Street roundabout in Islington, north London.
It was the 12th day of protests carried out by the group in the last four weeks.
The Metropolitan Police said the activists have now been removed, with some arrested, the roads are clear and traffic is moving again.
The force said on Friday morning: "We know that some activists have used super glue to frustrate our efforts and to delay Londoners even further.
"We train for these scenarios and have specialist teams on hand to help remove people and make arrests."
Police later said four people who had glued themselves to the M25 were being removed, as well as those who had glued themselves to the A501.
Insulate Britain said about 40 of its demonstrators were involved in the protests in London and Hertfordshire.
The group admitted its actions on the M25 were "in breach" of an injunction obtained by the government last month.
However, the group said its "blue lights" policy "has always been to move out of the way for emergency vehicles with 'blue lights' on", and shared a video of activists letting an ambulance pass through the blockade.
Tracey Mallagan, a spokeswoman for the group - which is calling on the government to insulate all UK homes by 2030 to cut carbon emissions - said: "If governments don't act soon to reduce emissions, we face a terrifying situation.
"We won't be worrying about shortages of pasta or loo rolls because law and order breaks down pretty quickly when there is not enough food to go round.
"The government won't be wondering if there are enough hospital beds or ventilators, but whether there are enough people left to bury the dead.
"The government is destroying our country. Boris Johnson should be taken to court for treason. Our flesh and blood are being tossed aside as expendable."
The transport secretary branded them "glued fools" and said existing laws needed to be toughened up to them "off the road".
Speaking to LBC, Grant Shapps said: "It's dangerous, it's really outrageous, and actually, ironically, it probably adds to pollution as cars idle, waiting for their nonsense… for them to be unglued from the road."
He added: "These people can go to jail for what they're doing.
"I very much imagine that the courts will take very dimly of the view that they're ignoring a court injunction. It can be unlimited fines, it can be six months in jail, we have been actively serving door-to-door individuals - over 100 have been served.
"And I think we'll start to see the courts take a very, very dim view and lock some of these people up, it is unacceptable."