An innovative injunction which prevents protestors from blocking roads and vehicles at key fuel terminals and filling stations in the borough has been extended to May 2023.
The interim injunction was granted on 25 April 2022 following weeks of protests at oil terminals that saw Essex Police make 461 arrests and cost Essex Police, Thurrock Council and other partners more than £1million.
The ruling last week means that the terms of the injunction will remain in place until at least May 2023. The judge also ordered that the 222 defendants named in the injunction pay 50% of costs between them, with each ordered to pay an equal sum.
Under the terms of the injunction, protestors are prevented from blocking roads, stopping vehicles and gluing themselves to the road or vehicles. The injunction aims to prevent unnecessary disruption for local businesses and residents trying to access their premises, homes, petrol stations and travel near these sites.
Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: "We are pleased that the judge has extended our injunction and that protestors will bear some of the costs it took for us to get these legal measures in place.
"The protests earlier this year caused considerable disruption for local residents and businesses as well as threatening vital fuel deliveries for the entire region. The innovative legal action taken by Thurrock Council, and our partners Essex County Council, completely prevents protestors from using the methods and tactics they employed to create this disruption."
The full terms of the injunction are available online at: thurrock.gov.uk/protest-injunction