Group warns of fuel garages blockade
LEICESTERSHIRE petrol stations will be blockaded by members of environment campaign group Extinction Rebellion today.
The protest comes days after the county’s highest temperature record was smashed by almost five degrees centigrade.
The protesters have not said where or when they are planning to carrying out the blockades, but have said they will only be targeting BP and Shell petrol stations.
The campaigners said in a statement: “With extreme weather events and temperatures beating records across the world in 2022, is this now the time people will wake up to what we are facing and do something?
“We know who is to blame, so we need to act and ring the alarm. Extinction Rebellion will be holding protests at selected Leicestershire petrol stations to encourage residents to boycott both Shell and BP taking place on Thursday.”
The group added: “Things have to change and fast - boycotting and protesting are the options we as individuals can take, but it’s those in power who need to take greater action.”
On Tuesday last week temperatures reached 40.3C in neighbouring Lincolnshire, while in Leicestershire the highest figure officially recorded - at Market Bosworth - was 39.2C, which was 4.7C higher than the record of 34.5C, which had stood since July 25, 2019.
Last week’s heat led to several grass fires, including a large one near Bradgate Park that was fought for several hours by firefighters from across the county. The number of incidents led to the fire service declaring a “major incident”.