Insulate Britain block part of M25 for seventh time despite court order

Insulate Britain protesters have blocked part of the M25 for the seventh time in little more than two weeks.

Dozens have been arrested in connection with the protests, with 53 detained after a demonstration as recently as Monday.

On Wednesday morning, Kent Police said a group have blocked the roundabout at Junction 3 and are on the scene to remove the protesters.

“We are currently in attendance at J3 of the M25 (Swanley Interchange) due to a group of protesters blocking the roundabout,” the force tweeted.

“Please expect delays and find alternative routes if possible whilst we work with Highways South-East to remove the protesters and reopen the roundabout.”

The 53 arrested on Monday, who targeted junction 14 near Heathrow, have since been released under investigation.

Some protesters glued themselves to each other, to barriers and the carriageway, and blue paint was sprayed onto the road.

Activists continue their campaign despite a High Court injunction that could see them imprisoned, fined heavily, or having their assets seized.

The group, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, is calling on the government to insulate all homes across the UK by 2030 to help cut carbon emissions.

As well as targeting the London ring road, protesters have blocked other important routes including the A1(M) and A20 near the port of Dover.

The campaign, which entered its third week on Monday, has seen well over 300 arrests.

Kent Police revealed that one person had been charged in connection with an earlier Insulate Britain protest, out of 96 arrests made by the force.

Insulate Britain said in a statement that its protesters would continue to block roads, despite the High Court injunction, until the government committed to a programme to insulate homes.

Insulate Britain said: “We are going nowhere. You can raid our savings. You can confiscate our property. You can deny us our liberty and put us behind bars.

“But shooting the messenger can never destroy the message: that this country is going to hell unless you take emergency action to stop putting carbon into the air. Boris get on with the job.”