Essex Police has said it "will take action" against those who put life in danger or "selfishly" stop others getting on with their lives.

It comes as two Just Stop Oil protesters have climbed to the top of the QEII bridge linking Essex and Kent, forcing police to close it to traffic.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “The QEII bridge is closed to allow us to resolve the situation as safely as possible and a diversion is in place through the tunnel.

“This is a complex operation due to the height at which the protesters are currently situated and it may take some but we are working as quickly as possible.”

The spokesman said the force’s “priority” is to “keep people safe and keep Essex moving”.

He added: “We will take action against anyone who puts life in danger or thinks they can selfishly stop others getting to work or getting on with their lives.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding and will keep you updated through the day.”

Just Stop Oil said in a statement that two supporters of the group had scaled the structure “to demand that the Government halts all new oil and gas licences and consents”.

The latest update from Highways England said: "The #A282 southbound #QEIIBridge remains closed due to a Essex Police led incident.

"There are delays of 2 hours in both directions with 8 miles of congestion anti-clockwise and 7 miles of congestion clockwise.

"Road users are advised to avoid travelling to the Dartford crossing, please consider alternative routes."

Just Stop Oil said that “two climbers ascended the two 84m masts on the north side of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, forcing the police to stop traffic from entering the bridge”, adding “it is expected that the bridge will remain shut for at least 24 hours”.

Morgan Trowland, 39, a bridge design engineer from London, said in a statement released by Just Stop Oil: “As a professional civil engineer, each year as I renew my registration I commit to acting within our code of ethics, which requires me to safeguard human life and welfare and the environment.

“Our Government has enacted suicidal laws to accelerate oil production: killing human life and destroying our environment.

“I can’t challenge this madness in my desk job, designing bridges, so I’m taking direct action, occupying the QEII bridge until the Government stops all new oil.”

Another protester, identified only as Marcus, 33, a teacher from London, said: “Only direct action will now help to reach the social tipping point we so urgently need.”

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