Height of stupidity
Bridge shut ALL DAY after eco-zealots’ latest stunt
MOTORISTS endured yet more misery yesterday after eco-zealots scaled the Queen Elizabeth II bridge – bringing the M25 to a standstill.
The roadbridge was closed all day following the pre-dawn stunt by two Just Stop Oil protesters, causing gridlock and tailbacks stretching more than six miles.
The pair scaled masts on the north side of the 449ft structure at the Dartford Crossing – which links Essex and Kent – at about 4am. Ben-Julian Harrington, of Essex Police, said: ‘I think they’re crazy. I’m really frustrated.’
The protesters said they expected the 1.7-mile bridge to remain closed for up to 24 hours and were still on the structure last night. Just Stop Oil has caused disruption this month with attention-seeking stunts, which have included blockading Parliament.
On their 17th consecutive day of action, they also threw soup at the Department for Business in central London. More than 450 activists have been arrested so far this month.
Essex Police said the Dartford incident ‘may take some time to resolve due to the complexities of safely getting people down from height’.
Kate Gibbs, of the Road Haulage Association, said: ‘It’s absolute madness. What is this achieving other than causing misery?’
The protest meant the A282 Dartford tunnel became the only way to cross the Thames east of London by road, with delays of several miles in both directions, including on the M25.
Just Stop Oil said Morgan Trowland, 39, and a teacher known as Marcus, 33, did the stunt to demand the Government halts new oil and gas licences.
‘What is this achieving?’