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HomeUK NewsInsulate Britain protesters block four major London routes

Insulate Britain protesters block four major London routes

Insulate Britain says around 50 people were involved in the demonstrations, which have also targeted Hanger Lane, Wandsworth Bridge and Arnos Grove

Insulate Britain protesters have blocked three major routes in London, including the Blackwall Tunnel.

A group of climate demonstrators sat down on the northbound A102 and had glued themselves to the tunnel causing large queues to keep building up during the nation’s rush hour.

Insulate Britain has said that around 50 people were involved in the demonstrations, which have also targeted Hanger Lane, Wandsworth Bridge and Arnos Grove.

It is the 11th such action to be taken by the group, which is demanding the government commit to home insulation for 29 million homes. The group has previously targeted the M25, M4, M1 motorways, as well as the Port of Dover.

This morning footage obtained by LBC has shown a woman pleading with the group to move from the entrance of the Blackwall Tunnel, so she could get to her sick mother in hospital.

This comes after National Highways have had an injunction granted against the climate activists who have been blocking sections of the M25 Motorway. The injunction will be coming into effect later today and means that anyone who is breaching the order could face a prison sentence.

Joshua Smith has given up his job as a bricklayer in Manchester in order to take part in the climate demonstrations.

He said: “I don’t want to be here, we’ve tried peaceful marches, demonstrations outside parliament, letters to MPs, petitions but everything is ignored, unfortunately when you sit in the road it’s the only time people pay attention”.

Mr Smith said that he will continue protesting until he sees a chance.

“The government desperately need to reduce emissions and insulating homes is the most cost-effective way of doing that”, he added.

Home Secretary Priti Patel is expected to introduce tougher punishments for climate change activists that had caused disruption at this week’s Conservative Party conference that is currently taking place in Manchester.

She is expected to warn the protestors who block motorways that they could face unlimited fines, as well as prison sentences of up to six months.

It is also expected that the nation’s police will be given powers to stop and search activists for “lock-on” equipment that is used to prevent them from being moved.

Ministers believe that the current techniques used by Insulate Britain and its associated punishment, which is a maximum fine of £1,000, does not reflect the seriousness of the disruption caused.

On the 2nd of October, the government obtained a fresh injunction that banned the group from obstructing road traffic and access to motorways and major A roads surrounding London.

This comes after there was a high and alarming increase in both deforestation and fires over the previous decade, when the annual reduction in forest area was close to 6,500 square kilometres, according to data from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

The new powers will be introduced by Priti Patel and added as an amendment within the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill, that is currently going through parliament.

Ahead of her upcoming conference speech, Ms Patel said: “The right to protest is a fundamental principle of our democracy, but we will not tolerate guerrilla tactics that obstruct people going about their day-to-day business.

“Whilst the Labour Party stand on the side of these so-called ‘activists’, the Conservative party will always back the law-abiding, hard-working majority of people in this country.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson added: “This government will always stand on the side of the law-abiding majority and ensure the toughest penalties possible for criminals who deliberately bring major roads to a standstill.

“We will give the police the powers they need to stop their reckless and selfish behaviour.”

Eve Cooper
Eve Cooper
I've been writing articles and stories for as long as I can remember and in the past few years I've had the fortune of turning that love & passion for writing into my job :)

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