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Protestors block route into Heathrow

Seven people have been arrested after activists blocked a tunnel leading to Heathrow airport.

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Heathrow tunnel reopens after airport protest

A tunnel leading into Heathrow airport has reopened after it was blocked by protestors.

Activists from 'Rising Up!', opposed to a planned third runway at the airport, blocked the road using three cars. Three protestors were chained to one of the cars.

The drivers of two of the vehicles- both men - were arrested for obstructing a highway and taken into custody at a west London police station.

Heathrow officers worked with Heathrow Airport staff to remove two men and a woman locked to the third car, who were then arrested.

One man has been taken to hospital as a precaution.

Heathrow protest causing delays on roads

Traffic has been building on the M4 eastbound Credit: Highways England

The M4 eastbound exit slip road is closed at junction 4 due to a protest on the route into Heathrow airport.

The link road from the M4 is now open, with a contra-flow system in place.

The link road has opened but M4 J4 eastbound is still closed Credit: Highways England

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Airport activists block route into Heathrow

Activists chained themselves to a car in the tunnel

Activists have chained themselves to a car and blocked one of the main routes into Heathrow airport.

Drivers have been warned of possible delays caused by the protest in a tunnel leading to terminals 2 and 3. Traffic has been building on the M4 since the protest began.

Three cars were used to block the route, while two people have been arrested for obstructing a highway and blocking the tunnel. Police say they are working with airport staff to remove a people chained to a third car.

The protest has been organised by 'Rising Up!' - a group opposed to a third runway at Heathrow:

Rising Up! has taken this action today to show solidarity with those people worst affected by Heathrow expansion.

Thousands of local residents are set to lose their homes and 300,000 people a year lose their lives due to effects of climate change, most of these being black, brown and indigenous peoples in the global south.

It is the responsibility of those people who have the privilege to take action to take a stand with those most affected and prevent climate chaos.

– Rising Up! statement
Heathrow is the government's preferred option for expansion Credit: Steve Parsons/PA

Heathrow supports the right to peaceful protest within the law, but the safety and security of our passengers, aircraft and colleagues together with the smooth running of the operation is paramount.

– Heathrow spokesperson

The government announced in October that it plans to build a new runway at the airport, which would see an extra 260,000 take-off or landings each year.

It followed a long consultation about whether to build a new runway at Heathrow or Gatwick.

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