Ten oil depots blocked by protesters to stop government ‘burning our future’

Climate activists have blocked the entrance of ten oil terminals in the UK to stop the government ‘burning the future’.

Campaign group Just Stop Oil says it blocked several ‘key oil’ terminals from around 4am this morning, at locations including in London, Birmingham and Southampton.

In a series of tweets it gave a number of other locations it will be targeting later in the day in Essex and Hertfordshire.

It said: ‘Fed up with a government burning your future – Join us on the road.’

The activists are calling for the UK government to stop funding all new investments in oil, gas and coal.

They were pictured sitting in the road to block oil tankers from leaving each site, while others climbed on top of oil tankers. including over 30 young people at the Navigator Oil Terminal in Thurrock.

Exxon Mobil UK, one of the country’s largest privately-owned underground oil pipeline distribution networks, confirmed demonstrations were under way at some of its sites on Friday morning.

In recent weeks, members have tied their necks to goalposts at Premier League games to demand the government ends fossil fuel supply projects.

A statement on their website said: ‘The Just Stop Oil coalition is demanding an end to the government’s genocidal policy of expanding UK oil and gas production and is calling on all those outraged at the prospect of climate collapse and suffering from the cost of living crisis to stand with us.

‘Ordinary people can no longer afford oil and gas, it’s time to Just Stop Oil. It’s funding war and killing people in the global south, while destroying the future for young people everywhere.’

Essex Police said six people have been arrested at Just Stop Oil protests at three locations in Thurrock.

The force tweeted: ‘We are currently dealing with three incidents in £Thurrock, where a group of people are reportedly blocking the roads.

‘Six people have been arrested so far.

‘It is impacting Navigator Fuel Centre, Esso in £Purfleet, and Askew Farm Lane.

‘Drivers are asked to avoid the area.’

West Midlands Police also tweeted: ‘We are working to deal with this as quickly as possible.’

The force added that delays were expected on Wood Lane, Bromford Lane and Tyburn Road.

Extinction Rebellion supporters joined the protests.

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