The High Court has issued a new injunction to prevent illegal protests on England’s busiest highway. National Highways has obtained a High Court order to prevent protesters from blocking England’s busiest highway. The court has issued a new order to prevent unlawful demonstrations on the M25, which rings Greater London, in an effort to cease the environmental group’s interruption of the major road. It means that anyone who enters the highway and fixes themselves to any item or structure on it, as well as anyone who assists them in doing so, can be held in contempt of court. They could face jail, an infinite fine, and asset forfeiture. Protesting by blocking busy highways or scaling overpasses is extremely dangerous and disruptive, which is why I directed National Highways to seek this additional injunction, which the courts approved. The injunction was acquired in addition to a court order obtained earlier this year by National Highways that targeted demonstrators, including those from Insulate Britain. Transport Secretary Mark Harper said he directed National Highways to seek the new injunction in order to deal with a “reckless minority of protestors.” “Protesting by blocking busy highways or climbing overhead structures is exceedingly dangerous and disruptive,” he stated, “which is why I directed National Highways to seek this additional injunction, which the judges granted.” “It will be easier to take action against this dangerous minority of demonstrators as a result of this.” “If they violate the injunction, they might face imprisonment or an infinite fine.” “Millions of people rely on the strategic road network every day, and they have a right to expect it to perform as it should,” said Duncan Smith, executive director for operations at National Highways. “We already have an injunction in place that covers hundreds of miles of our network.” This additional court order will make it easier to prosecute those irresponsible persons who choose to unlawfully protest on the M25. Protesting on these busy routes is exceedingly risky for protestors and all other road users.” “National Highways remains dedicated to doing all possible to discourage unlawful protest action and penalise those who violate the injunction orders in the sight of the law.” The present injunction against National Highways includes the M25, M25 feeder roads, and significant routes in Kent and around the Port of Dover until May 2023.
