Dover blockade comes amid supply disruptions across the UK due to truck drivers shortage
The British government is seeking a legal injunction against climate protesters who blocked the entrance to Europe’s busiest ferry port on Friday to highlight the climate crisis and fuel poverty in Britain.
Vehicles were stuck in lines as more than 40 protesters from climate group Insulate Britain blocked the main road into the port of Dover. The English Channel port handles 17% of the UK’s freight trade.
Police said officials made 39 arrests.
“We will not tolerate reckless behavior on motorways or ports (Dover this morning),” Transportation Secretary Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter. “Therefore I am seeking another injunction to prevent this disruption.”
The protest group, which blocked London’s orbital M25 highway over five days this month, apologized for the disruption, but said it was “the only way to put the issue of insulation on the agenda and to draw attention to the How poorly insulated houses are causing poor health, misery and premature death for many thousands of people.”
The group, part of Extinction Rebellion, has called for better insulation of UK homes to cut emissions and energy costs. The UK, like other European countries, is facing a hike in natural gas prices, which is likely to increase domestic heating prices as the UK heads into winter.
The British government already has a court injunction against highway protesters, meaning members of the group could be jailed if they block the M25 again.
The Dover blockade comes amid supply disruptions across the UK due to a massive truck driver shortage. Supermarkets have reported shortages of some goods, and a handful of gas stations have closed. The UK government has appealed to people not to panic buying.
Environmental activists, many of whom are students taking time off from school, staged rallies around the world on Friday calling for tough action on climate change.
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