THURROCK was left relatively unscathed this morning (Friday, 17 September) in the third wave of protests on the M25 and its junctions by the Insulate Britain campaign.

Previously this week Junction 31 and the Dartford crossing have been targeted, causing massive traffic problems across the area, but this morning the protests were to the north in Essex – and elsewhere around the motorway ring road.

The campaigners were back in action, many of them within hours after being released from arrest for previous protests.

Insulate Britain said 79 "newly released campaigners" attempted to block the London orbital motorway today.

Junction 28 at Brentwood was among those places targeted and Essex Police managed to stop 12 out of 20 protestors making it onto the carriageway, the group said.

In total Essex Police have reported 24 people have been arrested this morning following two incidents.

Officers patrolling in the Brentwood district received reports that a group of people were planning to obstruct the slip road at Junction 28 of the M25 at Brook Street roundabout.

Around 8.30am, officers were able to intervene and resolve the situation quickly meaning the road was blocked for only several minutes.

Fifteen people were arrested on suspicion of highways obstruction offences and other road traffic act offences. They remain in custody.

Police also received several calls at around 8:45am reporting a number of people were blocking the on-slip road at Junction 8 of the M11 with the A120.

Officers attended and worked to resolve the situation. There was congestion for roughly 45 minutes, but traffic was able to move freely.

A further nine people were arrested on suspicion of highways obstruction offences and remain in custody.

Superintendent Sam Smith said: "Incidents of this nature have the potential to cause significant disruption to road users, who may need to get to work, an appointment, or catch a flight.

"Our officers worked quickly to remove attempted protests this morning and made twenty-four arrests in a matter of minutes.

"The roads have now reopened and traffic is moving freely.

"I want to thank the drivers affected for their patience and understanding."