High Court lifts road block ban for protest groups

A High Court judge has lifted injunctions that barred environmental protesters from blocking major London roads, including Marble Arch and Vauxhall Bridge. The orders were initially issued against Insulate Britain and Just Stop Oil in May and June 2023 and were intended to last five years, subject to annual reviews. Mr. Justice Morris stated that there had been no significant protests since summer 2023, leading him to conclude that the injunctions were no longer warranted. On March 27, Just Stop Oil announced its decision to "hang up the hi-vis," asserting that their demands for a halt to new oil and gas licenses had been met.

At a previous hearing in May, the judge had extended the injunction to evaluate the sincerity of the group's claims. Transport for London, which sought the injunctions, indicated that protests often increase during the summer months. Only one of the approximately 300 individuals named in the injunctions attended court, highlighting the broad impact of the legal measures. The judge characterized the legal proceedings as an ordeal for many involved and confirmed that the case is now closed.