FUEL protesters that have tunnelled under St Clements Way in West Thurrock have entered the second week of its occupancy by digging through to reach the tarmac on the road surface.

A video has been released (view here) on social media which shows a protester drilling into the tarmac from below.

Police have confirmed this morning that the tunell is still being occupied by members of the JustStopOil campaign, but a second tunnel on Stoneness Road is now clear.

The campaign group continues to call on Essex Police to close St Clements Way to traffic and says the force is putting its members' lives at risk. A statement says:" Essex Police are putting public safety at risk by refusing to close St Clement's Way.

"We have provided ample proof that the tunnel extends beneath both carriageways and there is only 25mm of tarmac now separating the tunnellers from 70 tonne trucks above."