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MORE than 90 eco-warriors linked to Extinction Rebellion have been arrested after sparking travel chaos during a rush-hour blockade of the M25.

Tens of thousands of drivers were stuck in their cars for up to five hours while activists from Insulate Britain plonked themselves in the middle of the motorway.

Protesters from climate campaign 'Insulate Britain', an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, blocked the M25
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Protesters from climate campaign 'Insulate Britain', an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, blocked the M25Credit: PBagthalia/Twitter
Helicopter images show mega tailbacks
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Helicopter images show mega tailbacksCredit: Universal News & Sport
Police urged drivers to stay away from the area
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Police urged drivers to stay away from the areaCredit: LNP

The whopping protest caused disruption at Junction 3 for Swanley in Kent, Junction 6 for Godstone in Surrey, Junction 14 for Heathrow Terminal 5, Junction 20 for Kings Langley in Hertfordshire, and Junction 31 for Purfleet in Essex.

Sam, from Bromley, south east London, said he had been stuck in traffic on the M25 with his two young children for three hours due to the climate protest.

The 37-year-old had been on his way for a day out at a farm on a "rare day" he has time for a trip with his family.

"I am seething at how irresponsible and selfish their demonstration is," he said.

"It is ill-considered and poorly executed. I am all for change and reducing fuel poverty but there are more sensible ways to lobby and protest."

Follow our live blog for all the latest on the m25 traffic.

Some 20 activists also sat on a road in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, where things quickly turned sour.

Furious motorists tried to drag resistant protesters holding banners and placards reading "sorry to stop you" away to clear the road and backlog.

The climate change group wants the Government to "make significant legislative change to start lowering emissions".

A spokesperson said they were taking action today to demand Boris Johnson create hundreds of thousands of jobs and save lives.

Liam Norton, 36, an electrician from London said: "Since waking up to the crisis we are all in, due to the catastrophic breakdown in our climate, I have been shocked at the lack of significant action from our government. 

"They need to face up to reality. It will destroy our economy and the fabric of our society.

"They are being incredibly reckless. They are betting the farm on technologies that don't exist.

​"As soon as a statement is made that we can trust and is meaningful we will get off the roads."

I am seething at how irresponsible and selfish their demonstration is.

SamMotorist

Steve Gower, 54, unemployed, currently living in fuel poverty in Gloucester added: "Man up Johnson and get on with it."

In total, 92 people are known to have been arrested so far.

The Met Police has made 14 arrests, cops in Essex have arrested 12, Hertfordshire officers are quizzing 18 people, Surrey Police are holding 36 protesters and 12 have been detained in Kent.

Essex Police Chief Inspector Paul Austin said: "This incident caused significant disruption and our officers worked to resolve it as quickly and safely as possible.

"I want to thank the drivers affected for their patience and understanding."

'SIGNIFICANT DISRUPTION'

AA president Edmund King said: "This action is not only incredibly dangerous in potentially putting lives at risk but it also backfires in environmental terms by causing more delays and more vehicle emissions.

"These are some of the busiest sections of the M25 where tens of thousands of drivers will have been affected and has a negative knock-on effect on economic activity."

A National Highways spokesperson warned there was congestion on the roundabout at Junction 3, while the clockwise exit slip at Junction 14 was closed.

Read More on The Sun

The northbound exit slip at Junction 31 is also closed, as is the exit slip to Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 at Junction 14.

Officials advised drivers to find alternative routes.

Angry motorists tried to haul the eco warriors off the road as the protest turned violent
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Angry motorists tried to haul the eco warriors off the road as the protest turned violentCredit: rachaelvenables/Twitter
Eco-warriors resisting police in Essex
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Eco-warriors resisting police in EssexCredit: ROB WELHAM / McLELLAN
Traffic builds up on the M25 northbound
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Traffic builds up on the M25 northboundCredit: LNP
Essex Police said they had made several arrests at the road blockage at Junction 31 for Lakeside
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Essex Police said they had made several arrests at the road blockage at Junction 31 for LakesideCredit: LNP
Cops swarmed the areas targeted by the group
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Cops swarmed the areas targeted by the groupCredit: LNP
Protesters blocked roads leading to the M25
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Protesters blocked roads leading to the M25Credit: Jam Press
Protesters being hauled away by police
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Protesters being hauled away by policeCredit: Alamy
Essex Police dealing with the climate change protesters south of Junction 31
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Essex Police dealing with the climate change protesters south of Junction 31Credit: ROB WELHAM / McLELLAN
Police officers remove the last protester at the clockwise slip road at Junction 14
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Police officers remove the last protester at the clockwise slip road at Junction 14Credit: LNP
Extinction Rebellion protester goes topless again as climate mob target the Bank of England
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