Insulate Britain activist who had ink thrown in face 'hates' 'having' to block roads

An elderly Insulate Britain protester who had ink hurled in his face said he's "of course terribly worried" about his safety as the environment group embark on its 16th day of roadblocking.

The climate group targeted commuters during rush hour close to the M25 motorway and a busy road in west London on Wednesday as it continues its "non-violent civil resistance".

From 8am, activists sat down with banners in the middle of the A40 junction with Gypsy Lane in North Acton and a major roundabout close to the Dartford Crossing, with some gluing themselves to the floor.

Protesters face two years behind bars or an unlimited fine if they block any motorway or major A road in England after the High Court granted a new nationwide injunction against the group.

Activist, 77-year-old Christian, was one of those who had ink thrown at them while protesting in Acton.

He told Greatest Hits Radio London News: "It wasn't painful, it didn't hurt. It was unpleasant but it's just sad.

"The whole thing is sad, it's sad that we have to do this. I hate doing it.

"I'm a retired doctor, I've spent my life trying to help people and I'm reduced to having to do this because the government won't address the problem adequately."

The Met Police said 17 protesters were arrested at the Acton demonstration on Wednesday, "six of whom have locked themselves to the ground in order to frustrate our response.

"Specialist units are on scene to unglue them."

Another 32 were arrested close to the Dartford Crossing, including four who were suspected of planning the disruption, and taken away by Kent Police.

Insulate Britain, who had earlier warned motorists to avoid the M25 or drive on it at 20mph, faced frustrated commuters who honked their horns and urged them to move.

The group, which is an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, says it is protesting to force the government to insulate all UK homes by 2030 to cut carbon emissions.

One protester, who said he had been arrested for sitting in the road earlier, told ITV's Good Morning Britain programme: "It's obvious that we're upsetting a lot of people and I regret that.

"I've come onto this road to encourage the government to start protecting its citizens because it's failing miserably."

The environmental group re-started its roadblock campaign this week, targeting rush hour traffic in busy London commuter areas.

More than 50 protesters were arrested on Monday after they brought London's financial districts to a standstill.

The demonstrations come despite four court injunctions taken out against the group. Most recently, the government-owned National Highways (formerly Highways England) secured a ban on activities which obstruct traffic on its 4,300-mile network of motorways and major A-roads in England.

This followed a super injunction granted to National Highways on Monday, which prohibits people from Insulate Britain from interfering with traffic on any part of the strategic road network in England.

Activists have now blocked roads on 16 days since September 13, causing misery for drivers stuck in long queues of traffic.