Extinction Rebellion is blocking the main four bridges in central London, including Waterloo and Westminster

Extinction Rebellion activists formed human barriers to block traffic and close four London bridges, causing significant delays in the capital.

Climate change protesters line the roads outside Westminster, Blackfriars, Waterloo and Lambeth bridges, holding flags and placards declaring a “climate emergency”.

Demonstrators were also pictured playing bongos and waving banners reading “end fossil fuels now” and “love in action” as traffic queues formed on the first day of the Easter holiday.

Videos posted on social media showed a number of Met police officers at the scene of the protests. A Met spokesman said: “We are aware of a number of demonstrations taking place today.

“We are seeing areas of protest causing delays and disruption in central London. A police operation is in place and officers are at the scene working to manage the impact.”

A message posted on Extinction Rebellion’s Twitter account confirmed that the group had once again blocked the capital’s bridges.

The tweet added: “We will #RebelForLife until the Government acts as a #ClimateEmergency and stops all new oil and gas.

“3 years ago XR planted a garden on Waterloo Bridge and occupied London. We will continue until our demands are met.”

A follow-up tweet, featuring a video showing protesters blocking the road, said the group had “no choice but to disrupt” and that the world was “on track to catastrophic 3C warming!”

The action comes on the same day Just Stop Oil, a climate activist group affiliated with Extinction Rebellion, staged protests at oil depots.

Activists say they arrived in the early hours of Friday at Kingsbury Terminal near Tamworth, Staffordshire, as well as Navigator Oil Terminal in Thurrock and Grays Oil Terminal, both in Essex.

Footage showed people in orange hi-vis jackets on top of oil tankers and blocking roads while holding signs.

Essex Police said 28 people had been arrested on Friday. They were charged with either interfering with a motor vehicle and willfully obstructing a highway, or aggravated trespassing. Warwickshire Police said 12 arrests had been made.

Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin said: “The road network is expected to be congested today and in the coming days as people travel and spend time with family and friends over the bank holiday weekend.

“Our dedicated officers will continue to work throughout the weekend to keep Essex moving, keep people safe and minimize disruption to the public.

“We also continue to work closely with our colleagues at the Crown Prosecution Service to secure charges where possible.

“As demonstrated this week, if you come to Essex and engage in disruptive and dangerous protest, we will arrest you.”

Warwickshire Police said: “Officers remain at Kingsbury Oil Terminal today and are currently dealing with protest activities after a number of protesters arrived overnight.

“There is minimal impact on the wider community at this time.”

Activists from Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion have targeted oil terminals in recent weeks as part of their demands for the government to halt new oil and gas projects.