Arrests made as protesters from Insulate Britain block M25 for the third day
09:54, 17 September 2021
updated: 17:00, 17 September 2021
Ten people were arrested near the M25 this morning.
Kent Police were called at around 8.20am to reports that people were obstructing a road.
They were at the roundabout where the B1273 in Swanley and junction 3 of the M25 meet.
Officers attended and engaged with them before 10 people were arrested for obstructing a highway. They remain in custody.
This is the third day this week people from Insulate Britain have blocked the road.
Dartford MP Gareth Johnson dismissed the actions of protesters as "utterly selfish" and "counter productive".
"They have only succeeded in adding more traffic problems to the congestion we already suffer from," he said.
"They have also added to the air pollution and stopped people going about their normal business."
He added: "Most of us care about the environment but obstructing the roads around Dartford is just counter-productive to their cause.
"It is hard enough for people already to get to work, pick up children from school or attend the nearby hospital without these people adding to the problem."
Elsewhere, Essex police officers were waiting for campaigners on junction 28 and arrested 12 out of 20 of the campaigners before they made it to the carriageway.
On another part of the road blue paint was poured on the tarmac.
A spokesman for the group said: "Insulate Britain says actions will continue until the government makes a meaningful commitment to insulate all of Britain’s 29 million leaky homes by 2030, which are among the oldest and most energy inefficient in Europe.
"Eighty nine people were released from several different custody centres across South East England on Thursday morning and they have returned to the M25 today."
One lane was closed but the road is now clear and traffic is moving freely. On Wednesday people glued their hands onto the M25 and 21 people were arrested.
Today, Priti Patel blasted the group for their 'selfish' actions.
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