ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners blocked seven critical oil facilities near London and Birmingham for the third day in a row today, demanding an end to new oil and gas projects in Britain.

Activists from Just Stop Oil are calling on the government to “get a grip” and implement an emergency programme to reduce Britain’s reliance on oil and gas through insulation, renewables and free public transport.

Some activists entered a loading bay at Buncefield oil terminal in Hertfordshire to display banners, while at Kingsbury, Midlands and Esso terminals in Birmingham, oil tankers were prevented from leaving by people sitting in the road.

And at Thames Oilport in Essex, 17 people climbed or locked onto a tanker to prevent it from leaving.

Tunnellers who disrupted the entrances to Navigator and Grays terminals in Thurrock, Essex on Friday remained in place.

There have been 200 arrests since actions began on Friday.

Campaigner and retired offshore oil and gas worker Neil Rothnie, from Glasgow, said: “The oil and gas industry has one priority and it is not the climate crisis. 

“It’s not the future of North Sea oil and gas workers. And it’s certainly not whether the poor can stay warm.

“Their plan is to produce every barrel of oil and gas under the North Sea, and if they have to trash the climate and the economy and destroy our lives – so be it.

“The government needs to get a grip, get out of bed with the oil industry and Just Stop Oil.”

Science teacher Alex Heard, from Norwich, said he was acting because he is “terrified” for the future of his students, friends and family.

The 25-year-old said: “If we do not act with urgency, climate collapse becomes inevitable, and within the next 10-20 years we will face catastrophic change beyond our comprehension.

“Perhaps most alarming is that because most people are deliberately kept in the dark about the impending disaster we face, we carry on as usual, sleepwalking our way to disaster.”

Counter assistant Stephanie Pride from Scarborough said: “This situation is only going to get worse until we collectively reduce our energy consumption and make the switch to renewables.

“Unfortunately, that’s very hard when those of us who don’t drive are punished in the jobs market for not being able to afford or access decent public transport to where the jobs are.”