SCHOOL RUN ROAD RAGE
Furious mum screams ‘I’ll drive through you then!’ as others yell ‘Why aren’t you at work?’ after eco-mob block M25
DRIVERS' rage today boiled over as a mob of Insulate Britain eco zealots blocked school-run mums and lorry drivers at rush hour.
The stone-faced demonstrators cut off roads in an industrial estate near to Dartford Crossing and the M25 this morning - causing chaos at the major transport routes.
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At the business site - a stones' throw Purfleet Freight Terminal - a mum yelled: "My son is 11 and he needs to get to school today. So move out the way and let me get my son to school."
When the defiant activists refused to budge, she said: "I'll drive through you then."
Another man was filmed saying "this is not going to help" as he tries to reason with the mob.
He yells: "Why aren't you at work? Why are you stopping people from working?"
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A fellow commuter adds: "My business is on it's knees. We have masses of haulage problems in the UK."
A frantic lorry driver was also captured heading directly into the demonstrators in a last-ditch attempt to get through.
Nearby Brits help by dragging the vest-clad protesters off the road themselves - but the lorry can only move forward an inch before they sit back down again.
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Their desperate attempts break the barricade comes as wide-spread HGV driver shortages rage on, with hauliers desperate to deliver goods to Brits.
Meanwhile, demonstrators on the M25 clashed with police as they blocked Junction 31 in Thurrock, Essex.
The group were filmed being dragged off the tarmac by cops as they brazenly defied another injunction meant to stop them from causing disruption.
The group said that 40 "ordinary people" had blocked both the M25 and the London Road to demand that Boris Johnson starts insulating the "poorest people's" homes.
Insulate Britain supporter Diana Warner said drivers "thank" the group, including the police officers arresting them.
TAKING ACTION
But clips of today's action suggest otherwise, with drivers seen dragging protesters off the road themselves.
But the defiant eco mob quickly jump back into position and begin to block cars all over again.
One driver told LBC news: "If this protest stays here for much longer, I'm afraid the night shift driver will not be able to deliver fuel for any garages or anyone.
"So talking about lorry driver shortages and fuel shortages, today it may get worse. This is a hotspot.
"We also deliver to commercials, bus garages, train depots, which are all essential for transport."
Delivery driver Robert J Foulger, 57, added: "There were nine police vehicles there and countless officers not out catching criminals, costing the taxpayer money.
"I took pictures whilst sitting in traffic trying to deliver fresh produce to a supermarket distribution centre.
"I was on the moving side of traffic so didn't wait long, luckily."
CRACKDOWN
Responding to the incident, Essex Police confirmed that 35 people have been arrested today - 19 at the Industrial Estate and 16 on the M25.
A statement read: "We are currently on scene and have made arrests following reports of people blocking the slip road of the M25 in Thurrock.
"We received reports of people on the road at junction 31 shortly after 8.25am today.
"Officers were at the scene within five minutes and are currently working to resolve the situation quickly and safely.
"We know this will be frustrating for people caught up in traffic but we appreciate your patience and understanding."
Home Secretary Priti Patel announced cops will be handed powers to arrest repeat climate protesters before they glue themselves to the tarmac.
She is beefing up stop-and-search rules so people can be held if suspected of carrying heavy-duty locks or industrial-strength glue near motorways, airports and ports.
In other news...
- Insulate Britain descend further into shambles with a series of humiliating gaffes
- TREVOR KAVANAGH: Upper crusties may be a laughing stock but they are still making a fool out of Boris Johnson
- Boris Johnson vows eco zealots who block Britain's roads
- Which roads have Insulate Britain blocked and why are they causing traffic chaos?
Protesters could now be handed six months’ jail or an unlimited fine by magistrates immediately after arrest.
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On October 2, the government obtained a fresh injunction banning the group from obstructing traffic and access to motorways and major A roads around London.
Anyone who breaks the injunction faces imprisonment or an unlimited fine, and activists found in contempt of court may also be forced to repay the costs of their case.
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