London's iconic financial district, Canary Wharf, was plunged into chaos during the morning rush hour as activists from the Just Stop Oil campaign group staged a major roadblock protest.
The demonstrators descended on the area at approximately 8:30 AM, strategically positioning themselves on key thoroughfares including Limehouse Link, the Aspen Way tunnel, and the Herringham Road tunnel. Their action formed a highly disruptive ring around the district, bringing traffic to a complete standstill and causing significant travel misery for thousands of commuters.
Complete List of Affected Roads
Commuters faced severe delays and widespread gridlock on the following routes:
- Limehouse Link tunnel - Major east-west route completely blocked.
- A1261 Aspen Way flyover and tunnel - A critical artery for the area was shut down.
- Herringham Road tunnel - Access routes severely compromised.
- Westferry Road - Experienced significant tailbacks and diversions.
- Commercial Road - Traffic was heavily impacted by the knock-on effects.
The Metropolitan Police were quick to respond to the scene. Officers were pictured engaging with the protesters, who were sitting in the road, and began the process of making arrests to clear the obstructions.
A Statement of Defiance
In a statement released on social media, Just Stop Oil declared the protest a direct response to what they call the UK government's "genocidal policies" concerning fossil fuels. The group has vowed to continue its campaign of disruptive actions until its demands are met, signalling potential for further incidents across the capital and beyond.
This event marks a significant escalation in their tactics, moving beyond targeted slow marches to complete roadblocks in one of the world's most prominent financial centres. The disruption echoes similar protests recently seen on the M25 motorway, indicating a coordinated and persistent strategy.
Transport for London (TfL) issued severe traffic alerts, advising drivers to avoid the area entirely and seek alternative routes. The impact is expected to cause ripple effects across east London's road network for the remainder of the day.
