Insulate Britain protestors block traffic near Manchester Airport

Insulate Britain are launching fresh demonstrations outside of London, including in Manchester

Author: Tom DambachPublished 2nd Nov 2021
Last updated 1st Feb 2022

Insulate Britain have targeted Manchester for the first time as they block a major road near Manchester Airport.

Protestors have glued themselves to the road on a roundabout at Junction 6 of the M56.

It's caused huge disruption as vehicles are forced to a standstill.

The group said that around 60 demonstrators descended on junction 23 of the M25 near London, junction 6 of the M56 in Manchester and the A4400 in Birmingham on Tuesday morning.

The London and Manchester roads are part of the strategic road network and covered by a super injunction granted to National Highways last week.

Greater Manchester Police said officers were responding to the protest on Wilmslow Road (A538) near junction 6 of the M56 and Manchester Airport.

The force said: "Delays are expected and we ask people travelling to avoid the area if possible."

So far, 161 people have been involved in the roadblock campaign and there have been 770 arrests, excluding Tuesday's action.

A protester with their hand glued to the road at an Insulate Britain roadblock near to the Holiday Inn Express in Manchester

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has criticised the group for the disruption: "I can’t see how this type of protest does anything other than alienate people from the climate cause."

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