Extinction Rebellion protesters cause 'carnage' by 'gluing' themselves to A20 exit road near Port of Dover

Extinction Rebellion protesters have blocked a primary exit road for the Port of Dover causing “carnage” and delays for holidaymakers arriving from Europe.

Climate change activists are understood to have glued themselves to the A20 road near the busy harbour to “highlight the vulnerability of the UK’s food supply in the face of the ecological and climate emergency”.

Ferry companies have reduced the number of ships they disembark passengers from at one time in order to stagger the flow of traffic.

An eyewitness caught up in the disruption claimed that there were hundreds of police officers deployed to deal with the protest, which is expected to last until 3pm.

“Carnage in Dover,” Jade Evans wrote on Twitter. “The amount of police cars they have here to remove them is causing more pollution than you know

“This is the biggest waste of police time. There must be at least 500 of the force out here today. A waste of resources to clean up their wounds because they have ripped their skin off due to the superglue.

“It annoys me the most as I’m currently setting up a business that is 100% sustainable and eco-friendly. So I’m trying to better for our planet and you guys are just wasting my time right now.”

A spokesman for Kent Police refused to comment on the number of police deployed for security reasons, adding that people arriving at the Port from Europe will be diverted onto the A2 Jubilee Way.

The oldest protester is believed to be 91-year-old John Lymes, who blocked traffic after sitting in the middle of the road with a flask of coffee.

In a statement on their website, Extinction Rebellion said: “As one of the busiest ports in the world, Dover is one of the places where global climate and wider ecological impacts on the movement of food and people will be most clearly seen.

“The Dover blockade would not be necessary if the government were telling the truth about the threats of the ecological and climate crisis and leading the changes we need to feed the population in the near future.

“We appreciate that many imports aside from food come through Dover, including medicines, but have assessed that a short four-hour blockade will not cause any disruption to vital supplies.”

A spokesman for Kent Police described the protest as “pre-planned”, adding: “The force has worked with a number of partner agencies to minimise disruption, including the Port of Dover, Highways England and local businesses and residents. Regular engagement with the protest group has also taken place.

“To help minimise disruption, a designated protest area is in place on the London-bound carriageway of Townwall Street between 11am and 3pm. It will run between the pedestrian crossing near the junction with East Cliff and the end of the widest section of The Promenade, near the Eastern Docks roundabout.”

Chief Superintendent Andy Pritchard, from Kent Police, said: ‘I want to reassure residents, visitors and businesses that we have worked closely with our partners, including the Port of Dover and Highways England, to minimise disruption.

‘At the same time, we have to play a delicate balancing act to ensure the rights of the people planning to stage a peaceful protest are fully respected. A designated protest area will therefore be in place to facilitate this.

‘While we have worked hard to minimise disruption, it cannot be completely avoided. It is likely there will be delays on the road network around Dover and anyone planning on visiting the area is advised to plan ahead and leave extra time for their journeys.’