DOZENS of climate activists were arrested today after blocking the M25 carriageway for the fourth time in a week. 

Protesters from the newly launched Insulate Britain campaign group glued themselves to the busy highway in Hertfordshire and blocked its slip roads, covering them with blue paint. 

A total of 49 protesters were arrested by Kent and Hertfordshire police. 

The early morning action was the fourth to take place in a week as part of the group’s campaign to demand that ministers insulate British homes. 

Insulate Britain has vowed to continue its actions until the government “makes a meaningful commitment to insulate all of Britain’s 29 million leaky homes by 2030, and all social housing by 2025.”

Forces confirmed that the roads were clear and had reopened shortly before 11.30am on Monday. 
 
Chief superintendent Nick Caveney said: “Protesters have made it clear that they intend to continue causing disruption.

“Not only is purposely blocking a highway incredibly dangerous, it also affects thousands of members of the public who are stuck in delays as a result.”

Mr Caveney said that the force had now made a total of 76 arrests in relation to the protests across Hertfordshire over the last week.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps branded the protests “irresponsible and dangerous,” and urged the police to act more quickly to intervene in future demonstrations. 

But in a letter to Highways England, Insulate Britain said that its disruption was entirely proportionate to the government’s lack of committment to preventing a global temperature rise of 2°C, which it is legally obliged to do. 

The group had also called on the authority to reduce the speed limit on the M25 ahead of the blockade.