Birmingham commuters vent frustration following Insulate Britain protest in the city centre

Birmingham commuters have expressed their frustration after an Insulate Britain protest in the city centre caused traffic disruption this morning.

Activists protested on Great Charles Street, blocking the roads around Paradise Circus.

Protesters from the environmental activist group held protests in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Around 20 people briefly and intermittently blocked traffic at Great Charles Street in Birmingham for around an hour at around 9am and caused ‘minimal disruption’.

West Midlands Police confirmed that no arrests were made and the protesters ‘dispersed peacefully’, but officers are continuing to monitor the situation and will remain in the city centre.

Locals express frustration on social media

Following the protest this morning, some residents took to Twitter to express their frustration.

What has Insulate Britain said about the protests this morning?

Prior to the protests this morning, Insulate Britain supporter Gabby, 27, a graphic designer from Norwich said: “We are taking our message to people outside of London because we want everyone to know that our government is killing our children.

“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. The public can close their eyes but this isn’t going away, no one is coming to save you. We are being betrayed.”

A group of nine Insulate Britain’s supporters have received summons for injunction breaking and are due to attend court on the 16th November, a further 23 are expected to follow. They face the prospect of unlimited fines and prison sentences for contempt of court.

There are currently no plans for another protest in Birmingham at the moment, although the environmentalist group said that could change.

What did West Midlands Police say following the protest?

In a post on Twitter, West Midlands Police said: “The activists have now left the scene and dispersed. Around 20 people briefly and intermittently blocked traffic at Great Charles Street for around an hour at around 9am and caused minimal disruption.

“They have now dispersed peacefully, but our officers are continuing to monitor the situation and will remain in the city centre. No arrests have been made. We’d like to thank people for their patience.”

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