JUST Stop Oil activists blocked busy roads in central London this morning as part of a fresh wave of protests demanding that the government stop issuing licences for new oil and gas projects. 

Thirteen activists wearing high-vis vests and carrying orange banners marched slowly onto roads in Shepherd’s Bush and Aldwych at about 8am. Police arrested two people for obstruction of the highway, the group said. 

One of the activists, Bristol charity worker Alex Mackaness, 28, said: “I’d like to ask our leaders what they expect us to do when we hear the UN general secretary tell us that we’re on a highway to climate hell with our foot on the accelerator?