M25 travel latest – Extinction Rebellion activists have blocked off part of the motorway bringing cars to a standstill
ACTIVISTS who are from Extinction Rebellion have sparked chaos on the M25 after setting up a blockade.
Protesters plonked themselves on the motorway preventing traffic from moving, however many are now understood to have been arrested.
They also targeted drivers heading to the 117-mile road at Junctions 3, 6, 14, 20 and 31 – bringing commuters to a standstill.
Some 20 sat on a road in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, holding banners with 'Insulate Britain' on in bold white letters.
There is now a heavy police presence to get traffic moving again.
Read our M25 travel blog below to keep up to date with all of the action…
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PRESSURE FOR WORLD LEADERS
Their latest protest comes after a major science review by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirmed that human activity such as burning fossil fuels was unequivocally driving the climate crisis, with impacts such as deadly heatwaves, floods and storms already being felt.
In November the UK will host the international Cop26 summit where the pressure will be on world leaders to increase action to urgently cut greenhouse gases and avoid even more dangerous global warming.
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FIRM FUNDING EXTINCTION REBELLION GIVEN £3.1M LAST YEAR BUT BLEW OVER £3.5M ON STUNTS
Compassionate Revolution Ltd, which has XR founder Gail Bradbrook as a director, landed the cash in mystery grants and donations.
The huge sum is treble its previous year’s haul, though members of the eco-fanatics claimed lockdown saw donations plummet.
The private company lists its “support” for the climate change activists, who have led blockades on printing plants and the BBC.
But it did not detail in Companies House records for 2019/2020 where funding came from.
Despite its massive income, CR Ltd made a loss of £409,000, though reserves of £434,000 meant it was in the black by £25,000.
Bradbrook, 49, was paid £8,500 in costs and directors payments, while Roger Hallam, who left CR Ltd in September 2019, got £3,600.
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WHAT OTHER PROTESTS HAVE EXTINCTION REBELLION DONE RECENTLY?
Over the last few months, activists have shut down Oxford Circus, while a group linked to XR smeared fake blood on the Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace.
The most recent protest blocked London's Tower Bridge with a van and a caravan causing chaos in the capital.
The group recorded speeded-up footage of police grappling with activists as furious drivers waited to cross.
But after they posted the video on social media, police hit back – and said officers "immediately took action" to deal with the mob.
"Officers were on scene almost immediately," the force said.
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FURIOUS MOTORISTS CHOSE TO TAKE MATERS IN TO THEIR OWN HANDS
Furious motorists tried to drag resistant protesters holding banners and placards reading "sorry to stop you" away to clear the road and backlog.
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TRAFFIC BUILDS ON THE MOTORWAY
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS STATEMENT
A National Highways spokesperson warned there was congestion on the roundabout at Junction 3, while the clockwise exit slip at Junction 14 is closed.
The northbound exit slip at Junction 31 is also closed, as is the exit slip to Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 at Junction 14.
Officials advised drivers to find alternative routes.
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KENT POLICE STATEMENT
Kent Police tweeted: "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 engaging with those involved. Traffic is moving and being diverted to join the M25 at Junction 4."
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WHAT ARE EXTINCTION REBELLION PROTESTING FOR?
The climate change group wants the Government to "make significant legislative change to start lowering emissions".
A spokesperson said they were taking action today to demand Boris Johnson create hundreds of thousands of jobs and save lives.
Liam Norton, 36, an electrician from London said: "Since waking up to the crisis we are all in, due to the catastrophic breakdown in our climate, I have been shocked at the lack of significant action from our government.
"They need to face up to reality. It will destroy our economy and the fabric of our society.
"They are being incredibly reckless. They are betting the farm on technologies that don't exist.
"As soon as a statement is made that we can trust and is meaningful we will get off the roads."
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MANY HAVE BEEN STUCK FOR HOURS
Sam, from Bromley, said he has been stuck in the traffic on the M25 with his two young children for three hours due to the climate protest.
The 37-year-old had been on his way for a day out at a farm on a "rare day" he has time for a day trip with his family.
"I am seething at how irresponsible and selfish their demonstration is," he said.
"It is ill-considered and poorly executed. I am all for change and reducing fuel poverty but there are more sensible ways to lobby and protest."
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PICTURED – MULTIPLE ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE
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MOTORISTSGOT ANGRY
One woman raised a placard reading "sorry to stop you", but things turned sour when furious motorists tried to drag protesters away.
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WHAT PARTS OF THE M25 HAS BEEN EFFECTED?
They also targeted drivers heading to the 117-mile road at Junctions 3, 6, 14, 20 and 31 – bringing commuters to a standstill.
Some 20 sat on a road in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, holding banners with 'Insulate Britain' on in bold white letters.
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ACTIVISTS HAVE CAUSED MORE CHAOS
Eco-warrior protesters sparked travel chaos during rush hour this morning as they blocked the M25.
Activists from Extinction Rebellion offshoot Insulate Britain plonked themselves in the middle of the motorway, causing mega tailbacks.
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