M25 traffic protest: Climate campaigners hurting their own cause with blockades, says Boris Johnson

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the M25 protests. Stay tuned for updates.

Monday’s Insulate Britain protests began at Junction 18 of the M25 in Rickmansworth.

At 8am, around 15 protesters wearing orange bibs arrived and blocked the slip road at Junction 18, preventing motorists from commuting to work.

Drivers could be heard angrily honking their horns and yelling at the demonstrators.

LBC reported that one driver told the activists: “I know what you’re fighting, I completely agree, this is a really good idea, but this is not the way to do it.

“You’re causing more pollution with all these cars sitting here just doing f*** all.

“You’re making people hate you. Go and protest London, go down to Downing Street.”

LBC presenter Nick Ferrari was enraged over Insulate Britain’s demonstrations, blocking the M25 over the past week.

After a caller told LBC that his mother was left partially paralysed from a stroke, after being being delayed by six hours in traffic by climate protesters, Mr Ferrari asked an Insulate Britain spokesperson: “When are you going to stop with these lame apologies and accept this is not the way to protest?”

“That woman effectively dying in front of her son’s eyes is down to you and your colleagues.”

My colleague Ross Martin-Pavitt reports.

Hertfordshire Police were called to Junction 18 of the M25 near Rickmansworth, shortly after 8am to respond to the Insulate Britain protest.

A statement from the Hertfordshire Police said: “Police were called at 8.12am today (Monday 20 September) to reports of protestors near junction 18 (Chorleywood) of the M25, several of which were glued to the carriageway. 13 people have been arrested. The road has been partially re-opened.”

The force added that officers were also called to a separate protest near junction 4 of the Stanborough interchange.

Hertfordshire Police have arrested 29 people this morning in response to Insulate Britain’s road blockades along the M25 and the A1M.

While 13 people were arrested at Junction 18 of the M25, police were also called to a demonstration near Junction 4 of the A1M, where 16 demonstrators were arrested, some of whom they said were “glued to the carriageway”.

In response to the Insulate Britain protests blocking the M25 and the A1M this morning, Hertfordshire Chief Superintendent Nick Caveney said that the police were working to “minimise any disruption” caused by the “incredibly dangerous” protests.

“Protestors have made it clear that they intend to continue causing disruption. Not only is purposely blocking a highway incredibly dangerous, it also affects thousands of members of the public who are stuck in delays as a result.

“We have robust plans in place in order to minimise any disruption and to allow us to make arrests as quickly as we possibly can. This includes, but is not limited to, monitoring areas that have been identified as possible protest targets.

“Officers were on the scene within minutes of being alerted to protest activity, allowing us to put diversions in place to ease the traffic and to make numerous arrests. All protestors involved in this morning’s protests have been arrested and will be taken to custody.

“We are working closely with other affected forces to ensure that any further activity is dealt with effectively and efficiently.

“I understand and appreciate the frustration regarding the considerable delays and inconvenience that has occurred as a result of the protests.

“We have now made a total of 76 arrests in relation to protest activity across Hertfordshire over the last week. Please be assured that a full investigation is underway, and we are in the process of gathering evidence in order to ensure that those breaking the law are brought to justice.”

Climate activists from Insulate Britain continued their demonstration blocking traffic along the M25 this morning, with some protesters gluing themselves to the road.

My colleague Cal Byrne reports.

Transport Secretary Grant Schapps criticised the climate protesters disrupting the M25 on Monday morning.

He told the PA news agency: “I think it’s irresponsible, I think it’s dangerous.

“It’s completely counterproductive as well because they’re actually creating pollution they want to get rid of by having cars standing still, so there’s no justification for that kind of action.

“I call on them to stop and the police to intervene.”

He added that the police would “have to work out their approach and tactics,” to respond to these kinds of demonstrations, adding, “it’s not right for our roads to be blocked for illegal protests like this to take place, and for it to happen repetitively”.

While blocking traffic at Junction 18 of the M25 this morning, protesters used blue paint to write “Insulate Britain” and draw a heart on the asphalt.

Insulate Britain said that the paint would lead to “further disruption” as it would require the road to be cleaned.

Insulate Britain issued a statement on Monday morning, after blocking the M25 in Hertfordshire.

“Early this morning, Insulate Britain blocked the M25 for a fourth time.

“People blocked slip roads and the M25 carriageway itself in a number of locations. Once again, blue paint was poured onto the road, which will require cleaning, leading to further disruption.”

It added: “actions will continue until the government makes a meaningful commitment to insulate all of Britain’s 29 million leaky homes by 2030, and all social housing by 2025.

The group also said that only one person who was arrested during the group’s demonstrations over the past week had been placed on remand.