Extinction Rebellion members place banners over M4

The Newbury branch of Extinction Rebellion (XR) hung banners from a bridge over the M4 to highlight the climate crisis and the need to find a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

Local members of the global environmental movement placed the banners, which said 'No future in fossil fuels' and 'Climate and Ecological Emergency', on the Chapel Lane bridge near Yattendon on Saturday, July 16.

The banner drop was part of a nationwide demonstration that saw XR members place banners on bridges above the M4 between Cardiff and London, and on many other roads across the country.

Local XR member Helen Wright said: “People we speak to around Newbury are really worried and they want action on the climate emergency before it’s too late.

“The more people taking action and making their voices heard the more likely it is that things will change.

“This week we have seen the highest ever temperatures in parts of the UK, with people dying because of the heat.

“We can no longer pretend that climate change is something happening in another part of the world or sometime in the future.

“We are suffering its effects right now here in the South East of England.”

Lisa Hill from XR Newbury said: “We are not blaming drivers – we put banners over motorways so that lots of people see them.

“It’s only governments and the huge energy companies that can make the huge changes we need to make a liveable world for our children and green energy is now cheaper energy so investment in it is a crucial way out of the desperate cost of living crisis facing so many people.”

Extinction Rebellion is planning its next national rebellion in London from Saturday, September 10.

Those interested in joining the Newbury branch should contact NewburyXR@protonmail.com or join the Facebook group ‘Extinction Rebellion Newbury’.