Pictures from Dartford Crossing show the moment when two Just Stop Oil protestors climbed the QEII Bridge - causing a day of traffic chaos.

At around 5am today, two climbers ascended the two 84m masts on the North side of the bridge.

Officers stopped traffic from entering the bridge - which is now expected to remain shut for 24 hours.

Pictures from the scene show the pair on top of the structure with traffic building up. 

News Shopper: Traffic stopped after two of their activists scaled the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing on Monday. Traffic stopped after two of their activists scaled the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing on Monday. (Image: PA)

National Highways said the incident was causing delays of at least two hours in its last update, with six miles of congestion on the anti-clockwise carriageway and five miles in the opposite direction.

It has told drivers "to avoid travelling to Dartford Crossing” and to "please consider alternative routes".

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”.

News Shopper: Traffic stopped after two protestors scaled the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing on Monday. Traffic stopped after two protestors scaled the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing on Monday. (Image: Just Stop Oil)

A spokesperson for Essex Police said it is their “priority” is to “keep people safe and keep Essex moving”.

It explained that the force 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.”

According to Just Stop Oil, one of the pair, who climbed the bridge, was 39-year-old, Morgan Trowland, from London.

 

Morgan said: “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.”

News Shopper: Photo issued by Just Stop Oil of one of their activists scaling the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing on Monday. Photo issued by Just Stop Oil of one of their activists scaling the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing on Monday. (Image: Just Stop Oil)

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

A spokesperson for Essex Police 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.”

 “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.”

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