Four Melbourne-bound lanes of the West Gate Bridge have been blocked by climate protesters, causing commuter chaos and triggering a 25 kilometre traffic jam.
Members of climate action group Extinction parked a large rental truck across three lanes at the top of the bridge at 7.45am on Tuesday, before climbing onto the roof and unfurling banners demanding the federal government declare a climate emergency.
The situation was made worse when VicRoads crews and police blocked a fourth lane, leaving just one lane open for traffic to get through.
At one point police brought in a cherry picker to remove the protesters, who responded by chaining themselves to the roof of the truck.
At 9am traffic was queued as far back as the Hoppers Crossing at Forsyth Road.
Drivers headed for Melbourne have been advised to add at least 90 minutes to their journey.
The flow-on effect caused traffic to bank up on the Western ring Road, while roads in Yarraville, Footscray and West Melbourne are also affected.
As drivers stuck in traffic beeped their horns and yelled abuse, protester Brad Homewood, told the ABC they were aware of the frustration they were causing.
“We’re open to suggestions (if) people have got better ideas,” he said.
“But this is what we have to do to get the climate emergency into the media.”
