Police officer injured on M25 amid 'Just Stop Oil' protests

A police motorcyclist got injured this morning on the M25 motorway after his motorbike collided with two lorries at a rolling roadblock. Essex Police told the press that the rolling road block was initially put in place to deal with a protester on the motorway between Junction 26 and 27. Two people have also been arrested for causing a public nuisance on the busy motorway amid climate protests.

Fortunately, the injury is not too serious, but the incident has led to road closures between J26 and J27 clockwise. These include parts of the motorway in Kent, Surrey, Essex and Hertfordshire.

The Climate Protests Disruption:

Surrey: Between J7 (M23) and J8 (Reigate) and between J9 (Leatherhead and J8 (Reigate)

Kent: Between J4 (Orpington and J5 (A21/Sevenoaks)
London/Essex: Between J29 (Romford) and J30 (Thurrock/Lakeside)
Hertfordshire: Between J23 (A1(M) and J22 (St Albans)

A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said that the collision this morning was "an awful situation" and added that “in normal circumstances” the protesters actions would be “unacceptable.” The Just Stop Oil group, which is protesting for a third day, told the press that nearly 10 activists "in multiple locations" had climbed on overhead gantries. The group further declared that "This is not a one-day event, expect us every day and anywhere."

The Just Stop Oil group is no stranger to arrests. The activists staged 32 days of disruption between September end and throughout October, which the Met said resulted in 677 arrests with 111 people charged.

FAQs

What part of M25 are protesters on?
Just Stop Oil group held protests at several locations on the M25 including: J2 (Darenth), J6-7 (Godstone), J8-9 (Reigate), J13-14 (Staines), J21a-22 (St Albans), J25 (Holmesdale tunnel) and J27 (M11).

Has the M25 reopened today?
Yes, the road has reopened but traffic remains slow.