Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

Insulate Britain: Angry motorists confront M25 protesters

Insulate Britain: Angry motorists confront M25 protesters

Angry motorists confronted Insulate Britain activists who blocked traffic on two roads in the latest in a series of protests.

Essex Police arrested 35 people at two locations, including at an M25 junction to the east of London.

Officers detained 16 people after being called to a slip road at junction 31 for Thurrock, just after 08:25 BST.

Police then arrested 19 people after reports of a further blockade nearby at Stonehouse Lane, Purfleet.

On what was a 13th day of protests by the group in the past five weeks, the M25 slip road blockage, near the Dartford Crossing, led to many HGV drivers turning around, causing clashes between protesters and angry motorists.

Lorry drivers blasted their horns and multiple confrontations occurred, with one protester nearly run over after stopping in front of a blue Hyundai car, whose frustrated driver called out "this is stupidity".

Motorists ripped banners out of the hands of demonstrators as they sat or lay down in the road while other protesters glued themselves to the carriageway.

Essex Police removed the protesters and said all the affected roads had reopened by lunchtime
The force said it had been working to resolve the situation "quickly and safely"

Some members of the group were repeatedly dragged off the road by drivers who were pulling on their clothes and backpacks, but they returned to their spots and sat down again.

Some HGV drivers warned that the protests could cause fuel supply problems as tankers would be unable to reach filling stations.

One driver told LBC news: "If this protest stays here for much longer, I'm afraid the nightshift driver will not be able to deliver fuel for any garages or anyone."

Essex Police removed the protesters and said all the affected roads reopened by lunchtime. The force thanked members of the public for their "patience and understanding".

Insulate Britain said about 40 people were at junction 31 and at the nearby A1090 London Road in Purfleet.

Insulate Britain admitted its latest action was in breach of an injunction obtained by the government last month
The action was Insulate Britain's 13th day of road protests

The protest group, which has been regularly blocking highways since 13 September, has been calling for the installation of heat-saving measures in social housing by 2025, and all homes by 2030.

It admitted its latest action was "in breach" of an injunction obtained by the government last month.

A spokesman, Liam Norton, said: "In 10 years' time when fuel crises are catastrophic, when the food has run out and when people are experiencing unsurvivable heatwaves, what would you be wishing you had done now?"

The protest caused many vehicles, including HGVs, to stop and turn round

The government has said it is investing £1.3bn to support people to install energy efficiency measures.

On Thursday, 35 protesters were arrested after blocking Old Street roundabout in central London and junction 25 of M25 at Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire.

On 5 October, drivers clashed with protesters at the entrance to the Blackwall Tunnel, which goes under the Thames to the east of the Isle of Dogs, and 38 people were arrested.


Protesters clashed with motorists who blocked the Blackwall Tunnel on 5 October


Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
×