Police say several people were arrested during protests at an HS2 site today.
Stop HS2 and Extinction Rebellion campaigners spent nearly ten hours at the HS2 compound near Maple Cross, halting construction on the multi-billion pound railway project.
Arriving at 7am, protesters set up 'rebel structures', scaled a tunnel, and blocked gates and roads.
Images shared by HS2 show some protesters lying on the ground while others held banners and posters preventing vehicles from getting into the building site.
Some campaigners, dressed head to toe in red and wearing masks, even managed to get into the HS2 compound itself.
Credit: Extinction Rebellion St Albans
One of several gates into the HS2 site blocked by campaigners. Credit: Extinction Rebellion/Gareth Morris
Credit: Extinction Rebellion
In a statement on its website this morning, Extinction Rebellion said: "Today, Friday October 9, Extinction Rebellion and Stop HS2 have responded to the Prime Minister’s call to protect biodiversity by blocking HS2 worksites across the 140-mile stretch from London to Birmingham asking him to tell the truth and, in his own words ‘act now without dither or delay’.
"Extinction Rebellion targeted the 135 acre tunnelling site in West Hyde near Denham next to the M25, where the £16million tunnel boring machines are due to break into the Chilterns in early 2021."
Protesters block a road with a 'rebel structure'. Credit: Gareth Morris
The statement continued: "Protestors stood on top of the 17m high tunnel, released flares and blocked the gates to the compound by locking and gluing themselves onto structures similar to those used to disrupt the distribution of the Daily Mail and other newspapers outside Broxbourne printworks only a few weeks ago.
"A banner held outside a compound entrance read ‘Extinction if forever: Stop HS2."
One of the 'rebel structures' used by Extinction Rebellion. Credit: Extinction Rebellion St Albans
There were plenty of police officers in attendance. Credit: Marina Iliara
Several police officers were called in to deal with the protesters.
In a statement this evening, police said: "Hertfordshire Constabulary has been working with partners today (Friday 9 October) to deal with a protest that took place near Maple Cross.
"The incident has now concluded and no protesters remain at the scene.
"The protesters arrived in the area from 7am this morning, assembling large structures with complex lock-on devices to block entrances to the HS2 site."
Credit: Gareth Morris
The statement continued: "Specialist officers worked throughout the day to remove them.
"The site was cleared of protesters at approximately 3pm and some 20 people were arrested on suspicion of public order and associated offences.
"They are currently in police custody at a number of police stations at this time."
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