Eco-warriors land taxpayers with £170million bill because of their disruptive protests

ECO-warriors have landed the taxpayer with a bill for more than £170million.

The sum includes £122million to deal with the war they are waging on the HS2 rail link.

Meanwhile, Extinction Rebellion protests — which blocked roads and bridges in London — have cost the police more than £50million.

And road-blocking protests by Insulate Britain, policed by more than 6,650 Met officers, have cost £4.3million.

The £122million bill was revealed this week by HS2 boss Mark Thurston, appearing before MPs on the public accounts committee.

Developers have had to buy land around the proposed train line to protect diggers from ­tunnelling activists like Swampy, real name Daniel Hooper.

Mr Thurston said protests were forecast to cost “in the region of £150million to £200million by the time we are finished”.

Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith slammed the protesters.

He said: “First they complain about cars, then want to prevent people from using public transport.

“It’s not just the disruption, it’s the appalling amount of taxpayers’ money they are wasting.”