Insulate Britain activists return to the streets of London

‘My father needs treatment, and you sit here doing this’: Furious driver with cancer-suffering dad confronts Insulate Britain mob after activists block roads on first day of half term at three traffic hotspots in London

Environmental campaigners from Insulate Britain today restart their road blockade protests in London They target three separate areas around Southwark Bridge, Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street stationTotal of 51 demonstrators cause misery for rush hour commuters and families on half-term holidaysToday is 14th time that Insulate Britain have caused disruption on roads in London over past six weeks

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Retired vicar, 79, is back again with Insulate Britain and arrested for a FIFTH time in just six weeks 

A retired Anglican vicar was once again back at the Insulate Britain protests today – marking at least the fifth time she has been arrested in the past six weeks.

Reverend Sue Parfitt, 79, from Bristol, who has also protested with Extinction Rebellion, was taken away from Bishopsgate in the Liverpool Street area after she blocked the road with other activists this morning.

She has already been arrested at other protests on the M25 on September 13, 21 and 29, and October 13.

Parfitt was fined more than £1,500 in July after she took part in two XR road blockades in Parliament Square and outside a Ministry of Defence site near Bristol.

Police officers detain Reverend Sue Parfitt, 79, from Bristol, at an Insulate Britain protest on Bishopsgate in London today

Parfitt arrested on September 13 (left) and September 21 (right)

Parfitt arrested on September 29 (left) and October 13 (right)

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Angry motorists hauled Insulate Britain eco zealots off the road in London today as one driver suggested they had stopping him from taking his father to hospital for cancer treatment, saying: ‘If anyone gets cancer, please let it be your family – let you know what it feels like.’

The protesters restarted their road blockades at three locations in London – targeting areas around Southwark Bridge, Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street station.

Activists from the Extinction Rebellion offshoot leant on car bonnets and stood in roads with banners around the capital from about 8am, causing misery for rush hour motorists and families on half-term holidays.

A total of 51 demonstrators blocked Upper Thames Street on the north side of Southwark Bridge, Bishopsgate in the Liverpool Street area and Limehouse Causeway at the A1206 junction in Canary Wharf.

On Bishopsgate, one irate motorist shouted at them: ‘If anyone gets cancer, please let it be people you know, please let it be people you know. So you know what it’s like to have your loved ones who can’t get treatment.

‘You can sit here, I hope you know what it’s like. My father needs treatment and you sit here doing this. Scum. I hope if anyone gets cancer, I hope it’s your parents… are they alive, are your parents alive?’

One protester replied, saying her mother had died from cancer. But the man added: ‘Do you know what it’s like, someone trying to get treatment for cancer and you’re standing like this? People are trying to get to hospital, of all places. If anyone gets cancer, please let it be your family – let you know what it feels like. All of you.’

Traffic on Bishopsgate was brought to a halt as protesters blocked the road at the junction of Camomile Street. At least seven buses were held up as the activists sat in the road at the traffic lights, and four police vehicles were on the scene. 

One activist seemed to have been taken ill and was lying on the floor as a police officer spoke with him.

Members of the public heckled protesters blocking the road. One man, who shouted as he walked by, said: ‘We all have jobs to go to.’ 

Another walked up to the protesters, looked down and said: ‘What are you doing in the middle of the road. I can’t get to work?’ The protesters did not respond and instead looked down at the floor. 

Protesters also superglued themselves to the road. Police freed one of these demonstrators and took her away – but as she was released from the road, the woman screamed and said she was ‘in agony’.

Another member of the public approached three female protesters and said: ‘Why are you doing this? Get a job. I was trying to get to work and have had to walk just to get there. I pay my taxes!’ 

Today marked the 14th time that Insulate Britain had caused disruption on motorways or A roads in London over the past six weeks. The group had warned last Friday that they would restart their road blockades this week. 

The campaign continues despite injunctions leaving protesters facing court summons and possible imprisonment or an unlimited fine. Last week papers were served against nine of the demonstrators, and they could face up to two years in prison for contempt of court.

The organisation said it would ‘rise up against tyranny’ in response to the Government’s Net Zero reports released last week which it said ‘completely fail to meet the challenges we now face’. 

Insulate Britain, which wants all UK homes insulated by 2030 to cut carbon emissions, had previously said on October 14 that it was pausing its protests – which have caused major disruption for motorists – until this morning.

It comes just six days before the climate conference COP26 in Glasgow starts on Sunday, which campaigners see as a last chance to nail down carbon-cutting promises that can keep global warming within manageable limits. 

The protests also came on the day London’s pollution charge zone for older vehicles was significantly expanded, affecting tens of thousands of motorists. Drivers of vehicles which do not comply with minimum emissions standards are being charged £12.50 to drive in the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez), which became 18 times larger. 

Protester Tony Hill, 71, who said he had travelled from near Kendal in Cumbria to join in today, said: ‘I’m here today out of anger, fear and determination. 

‘The anger that my Government is failing the people of our country. The governments of the world are failing everyone. Everyone says we’re at the 11th hour but we’re at midnight. Nothing substantial is being done by our Government and governments across the world. 

‘We’re saying insulate as many buildings as we can. It’s a no brainer. It’s something we can all do, it’s a solution. 

Climate activists from the group Insulate Britain stop a car from driving towards them near Southwark Bridge in London today

Climate activists from the group Insulate Britain are pulled by a man as they block a street near Southwark Bridge today

Protesters from Insulate Britain block a road near Canary Wharf in East London as they are surrounded by police today

Insulate Britain activists block a road next to police officers during a protest on Upper Thames Street in London today

Insulate Britain climate change activists block traffic on Bishopsgate in the City of London near Liverpool Street station today

A climate activist from the group Insulate Britain is pulled by a commuter as they block a street near Southwark Bridge today

Police officers remove a climate activist from Insulate Britain as members block a street near Southwark Bridge today

Climate activists from Insulate Britain are removed by commuters as they block a street near Southwark Bridge today

Police officers detain an Insulate Britain protester who was part of the demonstration blocking Upper Thames Street today

Insulate Britain climate change activists block traffic on Bishopsgate in the City of London near Liverpool Street station today

Police officers remove a climate activist from Insulate Britain as members block a street near Southwark Bridge today

Insulate Britain climate change activists block traffic on Bishopsgate in the City of London near Liverpool Street station today

Police officers remove a climate activist from Insulate Britain from the road near Southwark Bridge this morning

Police officers speak to Insulate Britain protesters blocking Upper Thames Street near Southwark Bridge this morning

Climate activists from Insulate Britain are pulled by commuters as they block a street near Southwark Bridge today

Police officers detain a climate activist from the group Insulate Britain in Central London this morning

Climate activists from the group Insulate Britain stop a car from driving towards them near Southwark Bridge this morning

A City of London Police officer takes away an Insulate Britain protester blocking a road near Southwark Bridge this morning

A City of London Police officer speaks to Insulate Britain protesters blocking Upper Thames Street this morning

A City of London Police officer tries to remove to Insulate Britain protesters blocking Upper Thames Street this morning

An Insulate Britain activist blocks Upper Thames Street in front of a police officer during a protest in London this morning

Insulate Britain activists block a road during a protest on Upper Thames Street in Central London this morning

Protesters from Insulate Britain cause a roadblock on Bishopsgate, in the Liverpool Street area of Central London today

Police removing Insulate Britain protesters after they blocked a road near Canary Wharf in East London today

Police officers carry away an Insulate Britain activist during a protest near Southwark Bridge in Central London this morning

An Insulate Britain activist lies on a road next to police officers during a protest in London this morning

Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking a road near Canary Wharf in East London this morning

Police removing Insulate Britain protesters after they blocked a road near Canary Wharf in East London this morning

A notice from Insulate Britain handed out to drivers during a protest on Bishopsgate in the Liverpool Street area this morning

Police officers carry an Insulate Britain climate activist blocking a street near Southwark Bridge in London this morning

Police officers carry an Insulate Britain climate activist blocking a street near Southwark Bridge in Central London today

Police officers speak to an Insulate Britain climate activist blocking a street near Southwark Bridge in Central London today

‘We’ve got the money; all we need is the will power from our Government to do it. It will save money, create jobs, save lives and save the planet. Why aren’t they doing it?’

Mr Hill, who was at the corner of Bishopsgate and Camomile Street in London, said: ‘Not everyone can do what we’re doing but I’m doing it on behalf of my family and others. 

Insulate Britain: How activists have made a mockery of the law

September 13 – 78 Insulate Britain protesters arrested after blocking junctions 3, 6, 14, 20 and 31 of the M25

September 15 – More than 50 protesters arrested after targeting junctions 1, 8, 9 and 23 of the M25

September 17 – 48 protesters arrested after targeting junctions 3, 9 and 28 of the M25, as well as the M3

September 20 – 29 protesters are arrested after blocking the M25 at junctions 4 and 18, as well as the A1

September 21 – Protesters risk death by running into moving traffic to block the carriageway near Junction 10. Some 38 arrests are made. National Highways obtains an injunction against further protests on the M25

September 22 – Protesters burn copies of the injunction outside the Home Office, blocking the road outside the ministry. No arrests are made

September 24 – 39 protesters arrested after blocking roads at three locations in Dover. They are all released under investigation. National Highways obtains a second injunction covering Dover.

September 27 – 53 protesters are arrested for blocking a slip road at Junction 14 of the M25. They are all released under investigation.

September 28 – National Highways says it is taking ‘legal advice’ over how to enforce its injunction

September 29 – 27 protesters are arrested for blocking a roundabout at Junction 3 of the M25 on two occasions

September 30 – Protesters return to junction 30 at Thurrock in Essex, and nine are arrested

October 1: The group block the M4 at junction 3, the M1 at junction 1 and M25 at junction 25. Some 39 arrests

October 2: Third injunction bans them from obstructing traffic and access to motorways and major A roads in and around London 

October 4: 38 arrests after protesters block three major roads in London – the Blackwall Tunnel, Wandsworth Bridge and A40 and North Circular at Hanger Lane. 

October 8: 19 arrested over protest at Old Street roundabout and a further 16 on the M25 at junction 24. Transport for London gets a High Court injunction to ban them from obstructing traffic in 14 locations in London.

October 13: Protesters return to the M25 at junction 31 and a nearby industrial estate, with 35 people arrested.

October 15: Activists target areas around Southwark Bridge, Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street station.

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‘I’m a former police officer and a former soldier and parish councillor. For me and everyone today to do something like we are is difficult. 

‘We don’t want to be sat on the streets of London but we are compelled to do what we’re doing because it’s something substantial. 

‘We’re angry but we’re determined. What we want now is thousands to stand up and be counted and join us and have the courage and confidence to do it and we can change not just our own country, but the world.’

A City of London Police spokesman said: ‘Bishopsgate is currently closed at the junction with Wormwood Street due to protest activity. Police are at the scene but please avoid the area if possible as this is causing disruption to traffic.

‘Police are also at Southwark Bridge at the junction with Upper Thames Street, which is also closed in both directions, due to protest activity. Please avoid the area if possible.’

Hundreds of arrests have been made during Insulate Britain demonstrations so far, with protesters blockading motorway junctions and roundabouts since September 13 by running onto the road as the lights go red.

They have focused their protests on rush hours to cause maximum impact, with motorists taking it upon themselves to remove them when police are slow to arrive. 

Liam Norton from Insulate Britain said today: ‘We know that the public is frustrated and annoyed at the disruption we have caused. They should know that one way or another this country will have to stop emitting carbon. 

‘We can do that now in an orderly, planned way, insulating homes and preventing thousands of deaths from fuel poverty or we can wait until millions have lost their homes and are fighting for water or starving to death.

‘This treasonous government has betrayed the public. It is actively following a path that will lead to the death of millions – that’s genocide. 

‘If you know this and are not joining non-violent civil resistance then you are complicit. We can’t be bystanders. Short term disruption or genocide – that’s your choice.’

Tracey Mallaghan from Insulate Britain said: ‘I am gutted that we’ve had to return to the roads and irritate people. I am irritated too. I am a single mum and I don’t have time to read climate science and parliamentary reports, but I’ve read the Chatham House report and it’s terrifying. 

‘Everyone should read it and ask why their government isn’t taking the action necessary to defend our country from the climate crisis.

‘I understand, more than most, that money is tight and many people are struggling and stressed beyond belief. It’s hard to see the bigger picture when you are anxious about putting food on the table but stop and think for a moment. 

‘The people on the road are not your enemy, they are not the ones that have betrayed you and f***ed over this country. They are acting out of love to protect your children and people everywhere from misery, starvation and death.’ 

Protesters from Insulate Britain block a road near Canary Wharf in East London today as they are surrounded by police

Police remove Insulate Britain protesters after they block a road near Canary Wharf in East London this morning

Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking a road near Canary Wharf in east London this morning

Police officers speak to an Insulate Britain climate activist blocking a street near Southwark Bridge in London this morning

Police officers carry an Insulate Britain activist during a protest in London near Southwark Bridge this morning

Police officers carry an Insulate Britain activist during a protest in London near Southwark Bridge this morning

Members of the public watch as protesters from Insulate Britain cause a roadblock on Bishopsgate this morning

A man is carried away by police from an Insulate Britain protest causing a roadblock on Bishopsgate this morning

Insulate Britain activists block a road next to police officers during a protest near Southwark Bridge in London today

Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking a road near Canary Wharf in East London today

Police remove Insulate Britain protesters after they blocked a road near Canary Wharf in East London today

Officers from the Metropolitan Police work to release a woman who has glued herself to the ground on Bishopsgate today

Members of the public watch as protesters from Insulate Britain cause a roadblock in the Liverpool Street area today

A protester from Insulate Britain is detained by City of London Police on Bishopsgat, in the Liverpool Street area today

A specialist police officer uses solvent to free the hand of an Insulate Britain climate activist near Southwark Bridge today

Public order specialists from the Metropolitan Police work to release a woman glued to the road at Bishopsgate this morning

Police officers speak to an Insulate Britain climate activist blocking a street near Southwark Bridge in London this morning

Police attempt to remove an Insulate Britain protester who has glued their hand to the road near Southwark Bridge today

Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking a road near Canary Wharf in east London this morning

A climate activist from Insulate Britain waits to be removed by police as he blocks a street near Southwark Bridge today

Police officers remove a climate activist from the group Insulate Britain near Southwark Bridge this morning

Insulate Britain activists block a road next to police officers during a protest near Southwark Bridge in London this morning

Insulate Britain activists block a road next to Southwark Bridge as police officers speak to them in London this morning

Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking a road near Canary Wharf in East London this morning

A police officer stands next to a climate activist from the group Insulate Britain near Southwark Bridge this morning

Insulate Britain protesters block a road near Southwark Bridge in London this morning as their protests continue

Police officers remove a climate activist from Insulate Britain near Southwark Bridge this morning

Insulate Britain protesters block a road near Southwark Bridge in London this morning as the demonstrations restart

Insulate Britain climate change activists block traffic on Bishopsgate in the City of London near Liverpool Street station today

Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking a road near Canary Wharf in east London this morning

Climate activists from the group Insulate Britain block Upper Thames Street near Southwark Bridge this morning

Climate activists from the group Insulate Britain block a street near Southwark Bridge today as their protests continue

Climate activists from Insulate Britain block a street near Southwark Bridge in Central London this morning

Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking a road near Canary Wharf in East London this morning

Insulate Britain protesters block a road in Liverpool Street this morning as their climate demonstrations restart

Insulate Britain of protesters block a road in the Liverpool Street area this morning as the demonstrations continue

Climate activists from the group Insulate Britain block a street near Southwark Bridge in London this morning

Climate activists from the group Insulate Britain block Upper Thames Street near Southwark Bridge in Central London today

A police officer talks to a protester, who claims she has been arrested 14 times whilet protesting, on Bishopsgate today

Protester Tony Hill, 71, who said he had travelled from near Kendal in Cumbria to join the protest today, said Insulate Britain’s call to insulate all UK homes was a ‘no brainer’. Mr Hill is at the corner of Bishopsgate and Camomile Street in London

Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking a road near Canary Wharf in East London this morning

Climate activists from the group Insulate Britain block a street near Southwark Bridge in Central London this morning

Climate activists from the group Insulate Britain block Upper Thames Street near Southwark Bridge in London today

Protesters from Insulate Britain block Canary Wharf in East London this morning as their demonstrations continue

An Extinction Rebellion symbol tattoo is seen on the back of the neck of a climate activist in Central London today

Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking a road near Canary Wharf in East London this morning

Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking a road near Canary Wharf in East London this morning

An Insulate Britain spokesman said last Friday: ‘Insulate Britain has considered the British Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy, the Net Zero Strategy and the Cost of Net Zero report.

London’s pollution charge on older vehicles expands

London’s pollution charge zone for older vehicles has been significantly expanded, affecting tens of thousands of motorists.

Drivers of vehicles which do not comply with minimum emissions standards are being charged £12.50 to drive in the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez), which became 18 times larger on Monday.

 

The Ulez has operated since April 2019, but previously only covered the same area of central London as the Congestion Charge.

It now includes all areas within the North and South Circular roads in an attempt to boost air quality.

Pollution charges also operating in Birmingham and Bath, and are proposed for cities across England and Scotland including Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Portsmouth.

Whether or not a vehicle is liable for London’s charge depends on how much nitrogen dioxide (NO2) it emits.

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‘We concluded that, while these would have been a good first step 30 years ago, they completely fail to meet the challenges we now face.

‘What we need in this ‘period of consequence’ is a wartime style national effort, a united front of shared sacrifice, not a plan to cross your fingers and hope for the best.

‘Therefore Insulate Britain will continue our campaign of nonviolent civil resistance.’

Insulate Britain claimed that the Government’s ‘plan to decarbonise our homes fails on almost every measure’.

It said the £450million allocated to grants for heat pumps will help only 30,000 households a year, which is a ‘drop in the ocean’ compared with the 900,000 a year required by the Climate Change Committee by 2028. 

A spokesman concluded: ‘Our ancestors fought a civil war to remove such tyranny from these islands and sacrificed their lives to win the rights and freedoms we now enjoy as citizens.

‘Today it is our turn, our responsibility, to rise up against tyranny. We owe that to our ancestors, to our fellow citizens and to those that come after us in the great chain of life.’

On Tuesday last week, an injunction aimed at stopping Insulate Britain protesters blocking roads in London was extended by a High Court judge.

London’s transport network was granted the order earlier this month, aimed at preventing the actvists obstructing cars on some of the capital’s busiest roads.

Members of the protest group have already been hit with three other injunctions granted to National Highways, banning demonstrations on the M25, around the Port of Dover and on major roads around London.

During last week’s hearing, Insulate Britain members were given the chance to address the court.

Despite their campaign being on a temporary pause, they have repeatedly shown their contempt for the injunctions by disobeying them and burning papers copies.

Breaching a court order can result in a committal for contempt of court, which, if proved, may be punished with up to two years in prison and an unlimited fine.

The judge, Mr Justice Lavender, said last week that the injunction was extended either until a trial is held in the case or a further court order or April 8 next year.

Dr Diana Warner, from the group, said National Highways should reduce motorway speed limits to as low as 10mph when Insulate Britain protests on a carriageway.

Petrol hits all-time record high of 142.94p a litre: Price rises by almost 30p in a year after being driven by cost of oil and switch to ‘greener’ E10 fuel – as diesel reaches 146.50p 

BY RORY TINGLE FOR MAILONLINE

Petrol prices have reached an all-time high after rising by almost 30p in a year, while diesel is still a little short of its previous record, new data shows.

The average UK price of petrol hit 142.94p a litre on Sunday, beating the former record, set in April 2012, by 0.46p, according to the AA. Meanwhile, diesel reached 146.5p a litre on Sunday, short of its all-time high of 147.93p.

The RAC called it a ‘truly dark day for drivers’, which coincides with the expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) that will leave another 130,000 drivers facing £12.50 a day charge.

The motoring group has said fuel price rises are mainly due to the rapidly increasing cost of oil, which has gone from $40 a barrel a year ago to $85 now. But it says the introduction of E10, a new petrol blend which contains less carbon, has also had an impact.

The margin retailers are taking on every litre sold is also greater than it was prior to the start of the pandemic, putting further upward pressure on prices.

Diesel reached 146.50p a litre on Sunday, still 1.43p short of its April 2012 all-time high of 147.93p, the AA announced today. This graph shows price changes from 2008 to now 

Ironically, at the end of last week, wholesale diesel to be delivered to forecourts was still around 6p a litre more expensive than petrol – as it had a fortnight earlier.

The rebound from pandemic lows of 106.48p in mid May 2020 has seen petrol climb rapidly, with short lulls in November 2020 at around 114p a litre and this August at 135p a litre.

This compares with a two-and-a-half-year rebound following the financial crash in 2008-9. That went in two hops, from 86p a litre in January 2009 to 121.5p in May 2010 and then above 137p in May 2011. Overall, that was a rise of 51p a litre.

However, the 2009 to 2011 period saw fuel duty rise from 52.35 pence per litre to 58.95 pence per litre in January 2011, before falling back to 57.95 pence per litre the following March. VAT also rose to 20%.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: ‘This is truly a dark day for drivers, and one which we hoped we wouldn’t see again after the high prices of April 2012. This will hurt many household budgets and no doubt have knock-on implications for the wider economy.

‘The big question now is, ‘where will it stop and what price will petrol hit?’ If oil gets to 100 dollars a barrel, we could very easily see the average price climb to 150p a litre.

‘Even though many people aren’t driving as much as they have in the past due to the pandemic, drivers tell us they are just as reliant on their cars, and many simply don’t have a choice but to drive. Those on lower incomes who have to drive to work will seriously struggle to find the extra money for the petrol they so badly need.

‘We urge the Government to help ease the burden at the pumps by temporarily reducing VAT, and for the biggest retailers to bring the amount they make on every litre of petrol back down to the level it was prior to the pandemic.’

Luke Bosdet, the AA’s fuel price spokesman, said: ‘Whether it’s down to oil producers, market speculators, Treasury taxes or struggling retailers trying to balance their margins, record pump prices must be saying to drivers with the means that it is time to make the switch to electric.

‘As for poorer motorists, many of them now facing daily charges to drive in cities, there is no escape. It’s a return to cutting back on other consumer spending, perhaps even heating or food, to keep the car that gets them to work on the road.’

Small business owners today said the price rises were pushing their firms ‘to the brink’.

Drew Robinson, founder at JToB Apothecary, said: ‘As a small business with tight margins, every cost hike wherever it is has a significant impact.

‘As I sell at farmers markets, which I have to drive to, I’m seeing my income dwindle away and I’m powerless to do anything about it. These petrol price increases are taking my business to the brink.’

Dominik Lipnicki, Director at Your Mortgage Decisions Ltd, said: ‘This is yet another kick in the teeth for people already struggling with a hike in energy prices and inflation as a whole.

‘The fear for homeowners now is that this puts further pressure on the Bank of England to increase the base rate.’

Meanwhile, Jez Lamb, founder at Beers@No.42, said rising cost of fuel would leave business owners having to decide whether to pass cost increases onto customers.

‘Another day, another challenge for the average small business owner, especially those whose jobs involve transport, delivery and drop-offs,’ he said. ‘This is yet more price hikes that we have to swallow among all our other rising costs.

‘We’ll undoubtedly see couriers increase their prices under the banner of a ”fuel surcharge”, but do we pass this onto our own customers who are already being hit with prices rising elsewhere? It’s yet another headache and challenge to overcome.’

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