Numerous roads are at a standstill after eco-protesters forced the M25 to close in two different areas in Hertfordshire.

Just Stop Oil campaigners have climbed onto motorway gantries causing traffic chaos between Watford and St Albans.

The first protest began during this morning’s rush hour (November 7) by junction 22 for London Colney and 23 for South Mimms.

Follow live updates on the M25 protest HERE

Police say five people were arrested but specialist officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s ‘protest removal team’ had to be called in to help.

The M25 was closed both ways between junctions 21a for Bricket Wood and 22 to allow the incident to be dealt with as “swiftly and safely” as possible. At around 10.30am it reopened but traffic is still very heavy.

But police are now at the scene of another protest by Just Stop Oil - this time anticlockwise between junction 21 for the M1 and 20 for Kings Langley.

Police said at 10.53am: "We are now responding to reports of protest activity at junction 20 (Kings Langley) of the M25. Officers are at the scene and several arrests have already been made. Please avoid the area and seek an alternate route where possible."

Watford Observer: An empty M25 between junctions 21A and 22 due to a Just Stop Oil protestAn empty M25 between junctions 21A and 22 due to a Just Stop Oil protest (Image: Dani Dennan)

As a result of the disruption, many roads in south west Hertfordshire have been brought to a halt.

Bus services have also been severely affected and anyone travelling this morning should leave extra time.

Watford Observer: A map showing traffic disruption due to a protest on the M25A map showing traffic disruption due to a protest on the M25 (Image: Google Maps)

Below is a list of some of the main routes affected and where traffic is currently heaviest as of (11.45am November 7).

  • M25 clockwise from junction 19 (Watford) to junction 21A
  • M25 anticlockwise from junction 21A to junction 20
  • M25 anticlockwise from junction 23 (South Mimms) to junction 22
  • M1 southbound from junction 9 (Redbourn) to junction 6A (M25)
  • A414 both ways between London Colney and Park Street Roundabouts, St Albans
  • A414 from M1 (Hemel Hempstead) to Park Street Roundabout
  • A405 from Park Street Roundabout to junction 21A for the M25 (Bricket Wood)
  • A405 from M1 (Bricket Wood) to St Albans Road, Garston
  • A41 eastbound between A405 and Dome Roundabout, Watford
  • Harper Lane from M25 towards Watling Street, Radlett

The delays on the A405 from Bricket Wood to Chiswell Green and the Park Street roundabout have now cleared. Caused by the clockwise closure of the M25 at junction 21A, the situation was not helped by Watford Road, Chiswell Green being shut both ways between the junctions of the A405 and Tippendell Road due to emergency roadworks.

Full Hertfordshire police statement (posted at 8.43am November 7)

“We are currently responding to reports of people attempting to climb overhead gantries on the M25, at both junction 22 (London Colney) and junction 23 (South Mimms).

“Officers intercepted a group of protestors at junction 22, and several people were arrested.

“We remain at the scene, alongside specially trained Protest Removal Team officers, and a road closure has been put in place to allow them to deal with the incident as swiftly and safely as possible.

“The road is expected to remain closed for a while and we would advise you to please avoid the area and seek an alternate route where possible.”

The force added at 10.30am: "The junction 22 M25 road closure has now been lifted. All protestors have been removed and some 5 people have been arrested.

"Thank you for your patience whilst we dealt with this incident."

Hertfordshire Constabulary then confirmed it had been called to junction 20 and this incident is still ongoing.

Other junctions on the M25, including in Surrey, were also targeted by Just Stop Oil protesters this morning.

The demonstrations come as the latest Cop27 international climate change talks in Egypt get under way.

Just Stop Oil has vowed to continue its action, saying it will demonstrate “every day” until the group’s demand for no new oil and gas in the UK is met.

National Highways confirmed it has secured an urgent injunction from the High Court on Saturday afternoon that specifically seeks to prevent unlawful protests on the M25 motorway.

The injunction means that anyone blocking the M25 or attaching themselves to structures, such as gantries, face prison or an unlimited fine.

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