Just Stop Oil protestors have climbed up the Dartford crossing

Two Just Stop Oil protesters have sparked chaos in Essex this morning (17 October) after climbing up the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at Dartford crossing.

Causing a total traffic meltdown during Monday morning rush hour, protesters hope that this move will wind up blocking oil tankers from oil terminals.

They stated: "We received a report shortly before 3.50am today (Monday 17 October) that two people had climbed onto the bridge and are currently at height.

"The bridge has been closed while we resolve the incident which we will do as quickly and as safely for all involved.

"It does mean that we have had to close the bridge to traffic, but a diversion is going to be put in place through the tunnel.

"This is likely to cause delays throughout this morning and this incident may take some time to resolve due to the complexities of safely getting people down from height. Please plan your journey. We appreciate your patience and understanding."

In an update at 6am this morning, police said that they had managed to clear a path for traffic, but there were delays of around 60 minutes.

Currently, the A828 Dartford Cross is the only way to cross the Thames east of London by road.

In a video from the top of the bridge, protester Morgan Trowland explained: "I'm willing to do this kind of thing because I'm not willing to sit back and watch everything I love burn for the rest of my life. That's what's happening."

He added: "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 QE2 bridge until the government stops all new oil."

This is just the latest stunt from Just Stop Oil protesters across the UK in recent days.

Just Stop Oil is the campaign that aims to halt the licensing, development, and production of oil and gas in the UK.