Insulate Britain: Eco-activists turn their attention to Manchester and Birmingham, causing major disruption to road network

Insulate Britain: Eco-activists turn their attention to Manchester and Birmingham, causing major disruption to road network
IB brum
Max Parry

By Max Parry


Published: 02/11/2021

- 14:12

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:39

A group of 12 demonstrators targeted the M56 where they glued themselves to the road while others blocked Birmingham city centre

Police reportedly tried to negotiate with Insulate Britain activists today with one officer offering them 'another ten minutes' without arresting them because they are 'good people'.

It comes as protesters moved their attention from London and South East England for the first time with more than 50 demonstrators trying to block main routes in Manchester and Birmingham.


A West Midlands Police officer in Birmingham was filmed telling the protesters: “'I'm stopping people that I need to put in a cell, i.e. criminals, which are spaces that you're taking up, alright?

“You've done what you needed to do today, I'm happy for it to go on for like another ten minutes.”

In a tweet, West Midlands Police confirmed protesters had “now dispersed peacefully” and no arrests have been made.

Meanwhile, a group of 12 demonstrators tried to stop the M56 near Manchester Airport where they glued themselves to the road while a second group of 20 activists targeted the A4400 in Birmingham for an hour.

Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking Great Charles Street Queensway in Birmingham.
Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking Great Charles Street Queensway in Birmingham.
Jacob King

Elsewhere, 20 protesters tried to blockade M25 at junction 23 for the South Mimms service station in Hertfordshire but they were stopped by police.

These protests come as world leaders gather at COP26 in Glasgow for the climate change summit.

Insulate Britain activists have been trying to block motorways and main roads across the capital since September 13 with 770 arrests made before today.

West Midlands Police said delays are expected and people are advised to avoid the area.

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