PROTESTERS who have climbed the cables and spent yesterday and last night high above the River Thames in the QEII bridge structure have said they will continue with their protest.

The action of the two men from the JustStopOil campaign has caused massive disruptiion to traffic across south Essex as police and National Highways feel they have no option to close the bridge while the men are up there.

Essex Police Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: "We understand how frustrating this situation is for people wanting to use the bridge and go about their business.

"Let me assure you we are doing all we can to resolve this situation quickly and safely.

"It is a complex situation due to the height the people on the bridge are at.

"Our colleagues at National Highways, who have responsibility for the bridge, have made an assessment that it is not currently safe to re-open the road."

The protest has been condemned by thousands of people on social media and some took their own form of direct action last night, firing rockets from the shore towards the two protesters.

Undetered the two remain aloft and there seems no imminent solution from the authorites in sight.

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So far today (Tuesday, 18 October) there has been no word from the police or National Highways.

Protester Morgan posted a message from the bridge this morning.

In a social media message posted this morning by Morgan, one of the protesters on the bridge, said: "We've just survived our first night up here.

"I was pretty cold and didn't sleep much but I am OK.

"We are up here until the government makes a meaningful statement to cancel all new licences for oil and gas extraction because oil and gas is killing us now and it's driving millions of us into poverty this winter. We have to have an emergency transition to sustainable, affordable energy. They've got to pay for that transition using the profits of the oil and gas industry and the rich.

"Now is the moment for civil resistance. Come and do what you can at this pivotal moment in history."

Protesters blocked a road in London this morning.

The JustStopOil group are mounting daily protests outside Westminster during October and this morning a group of people 30 supporters of Just Stop Oil have blocked the A4 Talgarth Road near Barons Court tube station in central London.

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