Insulate Britain blocks roads in Manchester and Birmingham as campaign widens

Insulate Britain is broadening its campaign beyond London and the M25 targeting a major road near Manchester Airport and Birmingham City centre yesterday (2 November).

Around 11 people were arrested by Greater Manchester Police after protesting on Wilmslow Road near the M56, with some gluing their hands to the road. The campaigners were arrested on suspicion of causing danger to road-users.

The protest group, which wants the government to provide funds to insulate homes by 2030 to help fight fuel poverty, also targeted the M25 near London, where there were also arrests, and Birmingham City centre.

Insulate Britain said about 60 demonstrators took part in demonstrations at junction 23 of the M25 in Hertfordshire, the A538 (Wilmslow Road) in Greater Manchester and the A4400 in Birmingham from about 8am.

The Birmingham protest centred on Great Charles Street, Queensway, causing delays at Aston Expressway which were cleared by 10:30am.

The London and Manchester roads are subject to a super injunction granted to National Highways last week, which covers the entire strategic road network.

Insulate Britain said it was taking its message "outside of London". It stated: “Britain should be leading the world with radical plans to decarbonise our society, instead our government is actively setting policies that will drive emissions higher.”