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Extinction Rebellion have blocked a road outside Heathrow Airport by lying in front of a bulldozer.

Dozens of environmental activists lay down on the tarmac outside the transport hub on Sunday afternoon amid high police presence, blocking two lanes.

Part of Bath Road, above Tunnel Road roundabout, was closed as they assembled a full-size pink tractor with a “bulldozer” shovel at the front, strewn with newspaper headlines on air pollution.

Protesters descended on the airport earlier en masse, cycling in convoy down the M4 with a makeshift “bulldozer” tricycle, halting several lanes of traffic.

They are protesting plans to build a third runway at Heathrow next year, forming part of XR’s 12 Days of Crisis campaign pressuring party leaders before the country goes to the polls.

Posting a video of the activists cycling down the arterial road, Extinction Rebellion London tweeted: “We made an actual cycle superhighway on M4 to bring @BorisJohnson a message: Keep your word - scrap Heathrow expansion. For the people of Uxbridge, for life.”

Earlier they set off from Hyde Park corner at 10.30am, planning to block the Cromwell Road junction in Earls Court at 11am, Hammersmith at 11.30am, Gunnersbury roundabout under the M4 flyover at 12 noon.

A Section 14 order was imposed allowing the protest until 3.30pm on Sunday, after which time activists "run the risk of being arrested and prosecuted," the Metropolitan Police said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and other politicians were invited to the “lie in”, which XR said was designed to “act out the future destruction” of a third Heathrow runway.

The controversial runway, given the green light last year, has faced repeated criticism by environmental campaigners and MPs, amid concern over financial and environmental issues.

The Extinction Rebellion "12 days of crisis" campaign is piling pressure on politicians of all parties to make "climate and ecological emergency the defining issue of this general election".

Members have been instructed to launch an "election rebellion", including staging "mock emergencies". Earlier this week a demonstrator "glued" himself to the Lib Dems' campaign battle bus.

They are urging politicians to sign a "Three Demands Bill", demanding that those in power “tell the truth”, “act now” and take the fight "beyond politics". Action will continue until the election eve.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “We respect the right to peaceful protest and agree with the need to act on climate change, but we do not agree with any activity which impacts the operation of the airport.

"We are working closely with the authorities to ensure no impact is experienced.”