Protesters have vowed to stay on top of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge until they are “brought down”, meaning commuters face more chaos this morning.

Two members of climate change group Just Stop Oil scaled the 84m-high masts on the north side of the bridge on Monday to “demand that the government halts all new oil and gas licences and consents”.

A spokesperson for Just Stop Oil told the PA news agency on Monday evening that the protesters were “all set up” to spend the night on top of the bridge.

“They’re not going to come down in the dark, and the bridge is still closed,” she said.

“So they will have closed the M25 for over 24 hours, at least.

“My understanding is that they are going to stay up there until they’re brought down.

“That’s my understanding at the moment.

Dartford Crossing’s QE2 bridge closed by Just Stop Oil protesters

“I don’t know how they’re going to be brought down, and I’m not sure the police do either at the moment.”

During Monday’s rush hour, the closure of the M25 Dartford Crossing caused delays of two hours, with six miles of congestion on the anti-clockwise carriageway and five miles in the opposite direction, according to National Highways.

The crossing also includes two tunnels and is among the country’s busiest sections of road, being the only way motorists can cross the Thames east of London.

Morgan Trowland, 39, a bridge design engineer from London, said in a statement released by Just Stop Oil: “As a professional civil engineer, each year as I renew my registration I commit to acting within our code of ethics, which requires me to safeguard human life and welfare and the environment.

“Our government has enacted suicidal laws to accelerate oil production, killing human life and destroying our environment.

“I can’t challenge this madness in my desk job, designing bridges, so I’m taking direct action, occupying the QEII bridge until the government stops all new oil.”

Another protester, identified as Marcus, 33, a teacher from London, said: “Only direct action will now help to reach the social tipping point we so urgently need.”

Essex Police Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: “We will take action against anyone who puts life in danger or thinks they can selfishly stop others getting to work or getting on with their lives.”

It’s the latest protest by the group’s activists, who on Sunday sprayed an Aston Martin showroom with orange paint and a few days earlier threw tomato soup over Van Gogh’s Sunflowers.

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