Breaking: Tunnel Network revealed as Just Stop Oil coalition continues overnight blockade of critical oil terminals

“If governments are serious about the climate crisis, there can be no new investments in oil, gas and coal, from now – from this year.”  

Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency [1]

Early this morning supporters of Just Stop Oil blocked access to the Titan Truck Park and revealed a secret underground network of tunnels at the Navigator and Grays oil terminals.They are demanding that the UK government stops new oil and gas projects in the UK.

The Grays and Navigator terminals have remained blocked overnight while this morning’s news of tunnel activity at Grays and Navigator means that the main and emergency access roads to the critical oil terminals are closed, while Titan Truck Park contains over 100 oil tankers which service the three major oil terminals in the area. This is expected to cause significant disruption to oil supplies in London and the South East.

Just Stop Oil supporters currently occupying tunnels have taken inspiration from the tunnels that halted HS2’s work at Euston Square Gardens one year ago – when activists spent 31 days living underground- and say that they are in for the long haul.

One of the occupants, Ben Taylor 27, an environmental volunteer, said:

“Why am I here? I’m pissed off that my government is investing in new fossil fuel projects. Oil is killing people now, it’s fuelling war and destroying everyone’s future.

While the tunnellers are clear on their demand ‘that the government end new licences and consents for fossil fuels’, they are more reticent when it comes to providing details of their underground encampment, refusing to divulge how many people are living below ground, how extensive is their network or, whether they have taken the necessary measure to shore up their “downshaft”, “wormholes” or “chambers” as they call the various “rooms” they have constructed.

A group of 10 young people remained at the Navigator and Grays sites overnight “truck-surfing” on top of oil tankers. [3] 

Eben, 21 from Brighton who was one of those who endured freezing overnight temperatures said

“I don’t want to be doing this. I don’t want to be disrupting people. I don’t want be outside in the freezing cold. I don’t want to get arrested. I don’t want to spend a night in a jail cell. I’m 21. I should be pursuing my education, settling in a new city, going out with friends, getting my first real job, and dreaming big about my future. 

“But as it stands, I have no future.”

The action comes amid a series of cascading crises, the war in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis and news that climate breakdown is happening much faster than expected. However, while these events should prompt an emergency response to reduce UK dependence on oil and gas, the government is doubling down on drilling for new oil and gas. [4]

Molly Berry, 70, who was involved in the major actions at 10 sites yesterday said

“Every time I see a baby in their pram it breaks my heart, because I know what’s coming for them, unless our government takes action” 

The cost of living crisis is not going to end, but we can insulate ourselves from higher fuel prices by getting off oil and gas. No new oil, reduce demand and invest in renewables.

The Just Stop Oil Coalition is calling on all of those whose futures are being destroyed, who are facing poverty and who are outraged at the prospect of continuing our dependence on fossil fuels to step up and take action, join our daily zoom calls at 7pm. It’s 2022 and the time to stand by has passed.

ENDS

Press contact:    07762 987334

Email: ​​​​​​​[email protected]

High quality photos and video footage available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Dgcuv5vJjzfdSrdpX6HJEaayoidc08xy?usp=sharing

Website: https://juststopoil.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustStopOil/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just.stopoil/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustStop_Oil

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-t4U1Azf8AOkCBJILSNBmw

Notes to Editors

[1] Quoted in the Guardian on the release of the International Energy Agency, May 2021- Net Zero by 2050: a Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector

[2] Locations

  • Inter Terminals UK Ltd, London Rd, Grays RM17 6YU
  • Navigator terminals Thames, Oliver Rd, West Thurrock, Grays, RM20 3ED

[3] The Navigator Terminals, Thames is the largest bulk liquid terminal in the UK by throughput volume. https://www.navigatorterminals.com/terminal/thames

[4] https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1588597/nicola-sturgeon-cambo-oil-field-license-extended-russia-energy-gas-oil-north-sea

About Just Stop Oil

Just Stop Oil is a coalition of groups working together to demand that the government immediately halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK.

We must urgently end our reliance on fossil fuels to avoid irreversible changes in the earth’s climate system. We cannot continue to burn fossil fuels in the belief that future developments in carbon capture and storage and other so-called “unicorn technologies” will allow us to suck vast quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 

The UK must begin this process immediately. It starts by calling a halt to any further fossil fuel projects on the UK Continental Shelf. That would give us eight years of fossil fuel production left in which to rapidly transition to a zero carbon economy.

Everyone knows we have to engage in massive changes. Just Stop Oil is a coalition of groups demanding the no-brainer things be done immediately – actions that will reduce the demand for fossil fuel energy dramatically such as insulating our homes, rethinking how we travel, getting on with renewable energy and making sure no-one is left behind. 

We either come together as humanity or we die. Youth know which they choose. They have already chosen. They are in the streets to demand a future. We are all in the streets to make sure they get it. It’s as basic as that.

Further information about Just Stop Oil and our demands here: https://www.juststopoil.org