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.

The two climbers scaled up two of the 84-metre-tall masts in the early hours of the morning, causing the entire bridge to be closed off.

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

One of the protesters, civil engineer Morgan Trowland, 39, posted a video from the top of the bridge, demanding that the government halts all new oil and gas licenses and consents.

According to Essex Police, officers are currently working to resolve the situation.

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.

BREAKING: Two @JustStop_Oil supporters have climbed up the Dartford crossing, shutting down the entire bridge and blocking oil tankers from oil terminals in Essex traveling south .#JustStopOil #DartfordCrossing #climatecrisis pic.twitter.com/JuzYt0HvSu

— Rich Felgate (@richfelgate) October 17, 2022

"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 last week, activists formed three roadblocks between Knightsbridge and Brompton Road in London - some even gluing themselves to the tarmac in a bid to bring traffic to a halt.

Days later, more activists sparked international uproar when they threw soup over a priceless Van Gogh painting in the National Gallery.

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