High Court lifts road block ban for protest groups

Protestors take part in Just Stop Oil's final protest marking the end of their direct action in London in April

Injunctions stopping environmental protesters from blocking major roads in London have been lifted by a High Court judge.

Two orders against Insulate Britain and Just Stop Oil (JSO) were made in May and June 2023, lasting for five years with an annual review.

They prevented activists from blocking major London thoroughfares such as Marble Arch, Park Lane and Vauxhall Bridge.

Mr Justice Morris said at a hearing on Monday there had been no further disruptive protests since the summer and concluded it was not appropriate for the injunction to continue and that it should be discharged.

On 27 March, JSO published a statement to say members were "hanging up the hi-vis" and claiming that the group's demand for no new oil and gas licences "had been met".

At a hearing in May, Mr Justice Morris agreed to continue the order over the summer to test the sincerity of the group's stated intention.

Andrew Fraser-Urquhart KC, for Transport for London, which brought the injunctions, said at the time this was "necessary because protests typically happen in the summer months".

Insulate Britain, pictured during a protest in 2022, were named in the injunction

About 300 people were named on the injunctions from Insulate Britain and JSO, Mr Justice Morris said, though only one - David Crawford of Insulate Britain - attended court.

He said the process had been "an ordeal for many people who were not expecting to be caught up in litigation".

Mr Justice Morris said: "The effect of this order that I now make is that these proceedings are now brought to a close."