Roads reopen after Just Stop Oil protesters bring traffic to a halt on the M25
Motorists are being warned of significant delays and disruption to journey's after protesters blocked multiple parts of the M25.
Just Stop Oil has confirmed to ITV Meridian that it is behind a series of protests that took place on the M25.
The campaigners said approximately 15 supporters of Just Stop Oil climbed onto the overhead gantries of the M25 in multiple locations, both clockwise and anti-clockwise causing police to halt traffic.
There were six separate incidents taking place across the motorway, which is Britain's busiest, but police have now managed to clear protesters from the gantries.
Some residual disruption is expected throughout Tuesday as traffic returns to normal.
National Highways reported long queues at the Dartford Tunnel in both directions, due to the protests.
It says traffic has now been released, but there are 6 miles of queues on approach to the Tunnel.
Essex Police said it had arrested a woman who was on a gantry at junction 31 within 90 minutes of being notified.
Traffic is queuing for several miles on the A2 northbound, whilst traffic is now backing up from the M25 on to the M20 in Kent.
In Essex, there were delays on the A13 and traffic backed up to junction 29 on the M25.
Traffic also queued at the junction with the M23 for Gatwick Airport, with protesters reported to be on the carriageway there. The road was closed in both directions.
The M25 was also been closed at junction 11 in both directions, as police tried to clear the carriageway.
Long delays are still being reported on nearby A-roads, with motorists urged to find alternative routes.
Motorists using the M11 were also affected, with the M25 closed in both directions between 26 and 27 earlier.
The M25 was also closed in both directions at Junction 20 - 21 for the M1, as well as Junction 15 for the M4 and 16 for the M40. Both have since reopened.
Queues have cleared on the clockwise carriageway at Heathrow Airport, but congestion remains anticlockwise towards the M3.
There was significant congestion and delays around the M23 junction, as Surrey Police deal with protests there.
Significant queues were also reported on the M1 Southbound due to action at Junction 20 on the M25.
Police forces have said they are taking action to reopen the road at various locations.
Essex Police said officers were at the northbound carriageway of the UK’s busiest motorway near the Dartford Crossing where a protester believed to be from Just Stop Oil has climbed the gantry at junction 31, closing the Dartford Tunnel.
Meanwhile, Hertfordshire Police said they was responding to a protest at junction 20 of the M25 near Kings Langley and urged motorists to seek alternative routes.
Surrey Police said two protesters had climbed motorway gantries between junctions 8 and 9 and junctions 12 and 13, stopping traffic in both directions on that part of the M25.
Those involved have spoken out about why they have climbed gantries on the M25.
Molly Berry, 70, a retired lip-reading tutor from Hertfordshire said:
“The climate crisis is not left wing or right wing, it’s not an opinion or a point of view or a cause. It’s real, and it’s happening now, and it is getting very close to destroying absolutely everything we love.
"When my friends show me photographs of their grandchildren it breaks my heart to think of what they will face in their lifetimes. That’s why I am willing to put my liberty on the line to demand that the government halts all new oil and gas.”
Charlotte Kirin, 53, a social worker, carer and parent from Bury St Edmunds said
“In order to survive, we need to take action to stop new oil and gas. For as long as the government pretends this isn’t the priority, I will do what I can to demand a response. History shows us that we have to challenge unjust laws.
"What is being done to people all over the globe in the name of profit is the greatest imaginable injustice. I will not turn my back on people whose lives are being destroyed for rich mens’ profit.”