Climate activists have blocked access to an oil depot on the edge of Hemel Hempstead.
Extinction Rebellion (XR) climate activists have today (August 28) blocked access to the Buncefield oil depot, located on the outskirts of the town.
Six activists are lying down outside the site access road, and are using lockon devices to prevent them from being moved.
They are supported by around 20 other activists, holding banners and placards. The group arrived at 10am, and have said they plan to remain in place until 4pm.
Buncefield depot, one of the largest in the UK, stores and supplies hundreds of millions of litres of fuel per year.
It was the site of Europe’s largest peacetime explosion in 2005, with flames hundreds of feet high, and a smoke plume visible from space.
Buncefield was rebuilt despite strong objections from local businesses and the community.
El Litten of Luton said: “Using fossil fuels is driving the climate emergency, which in turn will cause hundreds of millions of deaths. Today’s action is our way of saying enough is enough.”
Craig Scudder of Harpenden said: “Our government has set a target of net zero emissions by 2050. Science tells us that is totally inadequate. By ignoring the science, our government is failing in its most basic duty – to protect citizens.”
Nigel Harvey of St Albans said: “The carbon footprint of this site is appallingly high. The only way we are going to address the climate emergency, is to rapidly reduce our use of the fuels stored at Buncefield.”
Another activist, Sue Hampton of Berkhamsted added: “We can already see the impact of the climate emergency in the UK. Heatwaves, droughts, and flooding are becoming ever more frequent. And this is just the beginning – it will get much worse.”
The activists are using relevant PPE and social distancing as appropriate to help ensure COVID-19 compliance.
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