M25 chaos as Just Stop Oil protesters sabotage two motorway service areas

Just Stop Oil protesters
Just Stop Oil protesters
Just Stop Oil
Jamie  Micklethwaite

By Jamie Micklethwaite


Published: 28/04/2022

- 08:03

Updated: 28/04/2022

- 09:10

Protesters from the group have been seen smashing display glass at petrol pumps at Cobham Services and Clacket Lane

Climate group Just Stop Oil said 35 of its supporters have blocked petrol stations at two motorway service areas on the M25.

It said the action began at 7am at Cobham Services in Surrey and Clacket Lane Services, Kent.


The activists sabotaged petrol pumps by smashing display glass and covering them with spray paint.

Just Stop Oil campaigners staging a protest in the Shell petrol garage at the Cobham Services on the M25
Just Stop Oil campaigners staging a protest in the Shell petrol garage at the Cobham Services on the M25
Just Stop Oil

Thirty-five people were involved in the action, according to the group.

Nathan McGovern, 22, a student from Coventry, who is one of the activists involved, said: “I refuse to stand by and watch as heatwaves and drought murder people across the global south and families in the UK are forced to choose between eating and heating.

“If politicians and bureaucrats refuse to act then it falls on ordinary people to do what they will not.”

Just Stop Oil of campaigners staging a protest in the BP petrol garage at the Clacket Lane services on the M25 in Westerham, Kent
Just Stop Oil of campaigners staging a protest in the BP petrol garage at the Clacket Lane services on the M25 in Westerham, Kent
Just Stop Oil

Thirty-five people were involved in the action, according to the group.

Just Stop Oil described the sabotage of petrol pumps as “a significant escalation”.

The move is reminiscent of Insulate Britain’s protests between September and November last year, when M25 junctions were repeatedly blocked.

Just Stop Oil began its protests on April 1.

It has carried out a series of blockades of fuel terminals in south-east England and the Midlands, and targeted several high-profile football matches.

More than 1,000 arrests have been made.

The group said it will “continue the disruption until the Government makes a statement that it will end new oil and gas projects in the UK”.

Ten supporters arrested outside Kingsbury oil terminal on Wednesday are due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

They are charged with contempt of court relating to an injunction granted to North Warwickshire Borough Council which prohibited protests at the site.

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