A group of protesters calling for the government to take responsibility for the insulation of all social housing across the country have blocked a junction near the M25.
The group, Insulate Britain, have spent this morning (Monday, September 13) sitting in the middle of a road at the Junction 20 roundabout for the M25 in Kings Langley, causing major disruptions – with traffic backing up towards the village.
Eighteen people have been arrested in connection with the protest.
The protesters blocked the busy junction leaving many drivers furious, with protests taking place at five other junctions on the M25.
Two women from the North West are taking part in the action. Gwen Harrison, 43, environmental consultant said insulating Britain will help in a variety of ways, including helping to reduce emissions.
She said: “I am endlessly shocked at the lack of significant action from our government. They need to face up to reality. If we don’t cut our use of fossil fuels urgently we will destroy our climate, our economy and the fabric of our society. They are being incredibly reckless. They are betting on technologies that don’t exist. If we spend money now we’ll stop a catastrophe later down the line.’
“It’s a no brainer. Insulating Britain will reduce emissions, provide hundreds of thousands of jobs and stop our elderly dying in cold homes each winter.
“As soon as a statement is made that we can trust and is meaningful we will get off the roads.”
Catherine Rennie Nash, 70, an events organiser and grandmother said: “It’s now proven that our use of fossil fuels has brought permanent change to our climate. The world I was born into has gone, and politicians are not doing enough to stop the damage. The world’s politicians need to be honest. They need to act to protect our kids and grandchildren from a terrible future. We need real action from our government to reduce emissions this year – 2050 is far too late.
“Road building, airport expansion, HS2t and new oil fields are all completely unacceptable. We should be insulating the 29 million homes so that we cut our use of fossil fuels dramatically. Net zero is impossible if they don’t get on with this.”
St Albans resident Eli Rose, one of the activists taking part in the protest said: “We all know that the government wants to ‘Build Back Better’. What better way to do that, than to insulate our houses. That would massively reduce emissions and create hundreds of thousands of green jobs.
“It is also easy and uses well established and readily available materials. It would also reduce heating bills for hard working families – particularly those low income families that have been hardest hit by the pandemic. It is a win-win-win. The government know what needs to be done. They just need to get on and do it.”
Superintendent Adam Willmot from Hertfordsgure Police said: “We were called to reports of a protest at around 8am today (Monday 13 September) and quickly mobilised resources to the scene.
“The M25 was closed westbound at junction 20, resulting in congestion and delays on both the M25 and the A41.
“Protestors ignored police requests to move location, so we took robust action to enable roads to be reopened and to remove the protestors causing obstructions.
“Our officers dealt with the disruption as quickly as possible, reopening routes for local businesses and residents.
“The road closures were lifted by 10.20am.”
Highways England have confirmed on Twitter that the slip roads are now reopen.
*** UPDATE ***
The #M25 clockwise and anticlockwise exit slips at #J20 (#A41 #HemelHempstead) are now both open. We Thank you for your patience.— National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) September 13, 2021
Insulate Britain’s demands for the Prime Minister were delivered by hand to No. 10 Downing Street on August 21, 2021, but so far no-one in government has responded.
Photo credit: Insulate Britain
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