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Climate change protesters today blocked Waterloo Bridge, Marble Arch and Oxford Circus as they threatened to paralyse London’s roads as part of a week of action in cities around the world.

Thousands of campaigners took to the streets with a call for governments to take action to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2025.

Activists blocked off Waterloo Bridge using lorries, dozens of trees, bamboo shoots and potted house plants - prompting some to compare it to a cheaper version of the failed Garden Bridge.

Protesters brought gas canisters, tents and bedding and appeared to be settled in for a long period of occupation as police officers looked on.

Campaign group Extinction Rebellion posted pictures of activists walking on the road on Twitter and said: “We have taken Waterloo bridge!”

Extinction Rebellion protest 2019 - In pictures 120 show all Extinction Rebellion protest 2019 - In pictures 1/120 A climate change protester in a hammock hanging from the trees at Parliament Square, London PA 2/120 Protesters march toward Parliament in London AP 3/120 A cardboard cutout of David Attenborough is held up as protesters march toward parliament with Nelson's Column in the background AP 4/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters at their final destination of Parliament Square in Westminster after marching from their camp at Marble Arch PA 5/120 Protesters at the Extinction Rebellion (XR) camp in Marble Arc PA 6/120 Police watch Extinction Rebellion protesters at their final destination of Parliament Square in Westminster after marching from their camp at Marble Arch PA 7/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters reach their final destination of Parliament Square in WestminsteR PA 8/120 A climate change protester in a hammock hanging from the trees at Parliament Square, London Jeremy Selwyn 9/120 Police officers arrest and carry away a climate change activist from a demonstration blocking Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 10/120 olice officers gather for an operation at the climate change camp where activists are blocking Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 11/120 Police surround the Extinction Rebellion demonstration PA 12/120 A climate change activist is detained during the Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Reuters 13/120 A police officer removes a haystack during the Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Reuters 14/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 15/120 Protesters from the Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus EPA 16/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge PA 17/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 18/120 Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Jeremy Selwyn 19/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 20/120 Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Jeremy Selwyn 21/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station in east London as part of the ongoing climate change protests in the capital PA 22/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 23/120 Two men and two women from the Extinction Rebellion group have glued themselves to a fence outside Jeremy Corbyn's house PA 24/120 Police officers detain a climate change activist at Waterloo Bridge Reuters 25/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station 26/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station BBC 27/120 A climate activist after he glued himself to a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA 28/120 Police detain a protester as climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest, at Canary Wharf DLR station Reuters 29/120 Protesters blockade of Waterloo Bridge on the third day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion grou Alex Lentati 30/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 31/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 32/120 Police talk to climate activists who climbed on top of a Dockland Light Railway train and glued theimselves to the carriage at Canary Wharf station in east London PA 33/120 A climate protester is removed from the top of the DLR train AFP/Getty Images 34/120 Climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 35/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA 36/120 Officers carry an activist as they remove demonstrators from their blockade of Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 37/120 A member of the public passes a graffiti left by protesters from the Extinction Rebellion campaign group EPA 38/120 Police officers remove protesters from a blockade on Waterloo Bridg Getty Images 39/120 Police officers remove protesters from a blockade on Waterloo Bridge during the second day of a coordinated protest by the Extinction Rebellion group Getty Images 40/120 Police officers detain a climate change activist REUTERS 41/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group, in London AFP/Getty Images 42/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 43/120 Commuters cycle past a pink boat placed in the road at Oxford Circus by activists, on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 44/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch, London, as more than 100 people have been arrested as police deal with ongoing climate change protests PA 45/120 Activists sit in the road amongst trees as they continue to block traffic from Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 46/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 47/120 Activists sit with thier tents in the road after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 48/120 Demonstrators chain and glue themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge in London during a Extinction Rebellion protest PA 49/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 50/120 An activist brushes his teeth after waking up near Marble Arch AFP/Getty Images 51/120 Pedestrians walk to work over Waterloo Bridge during climate change protest EPA 52/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 53/120 Activists take part in yoga in the road after after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 54/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 55/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch, PA 56/120 Activists sit with their tents in the road after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 57/120 Demonstrators chain and glue themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge in London during a Extinction Rebellion protest PA 58/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 59/120 Pedestrians walk over Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 60/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest continues in Marble Arch PA 61/120 Activists lay in their tents in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 62/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 63/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 64/120 An activist sits in a sleeping back after waking up near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 65/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 66/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest continues in Marble Arch PA 67/120 Activists block the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 68/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 69/120 Activists pour drinks near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 70/120 Activists' tents stand in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 71/120 Activists prepare drinks from a tent in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 72/120 Police patrol during the second day of Extinction Rebellion protest at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 73/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 74/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 75/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 76/120 Police patrol during the second day of Extinction Rebellion protest at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 77/120 An activist sprays graffiti on to the porch covering the entrance to the Shell Centre AFP/Getty Images 78/120 Protesters unfurl a poster accusing shell of 'ecoside' AFP/Getty Images 79/120 Climate protesters also scaled the building and daubed slogans above a glass awning AFP/Getty Images 80/120 A woman glued her hands to the door of the building Reuters 81/120 Environmental protesters from the Extinction Rebellion arrive to stage a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 82/120 Environment activists from Extinction Rebellion block Oxford Circus with a sailing boat to highlight the threat of global warming on the planet and ecosystem Rex Features 83/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest at Marble Arch PA 84/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 85/120 Environmental protesters from the Extinction Rebellion group arrive with a tree to stage a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 86/120 A demonstrator uses a makeshift skateboard ramp on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 87/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters stop traffic in Oxford Circus Rex Features 88/120 Environment activists from Extinction Rebellion block Oxford Circus to highlight the threat of global warming on the planet and ecosystem Rex Features 89/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters stop traffic in Oxford Circus Rex Features 90/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 91/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 92/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 93/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge surrounded by trees Reuters 94/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest at Marble Arch PA 95/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 96/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 97/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 98/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 99/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 100/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 101/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 102/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 103/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 104/120 Police stroll through the makeshift camp Jeremy Selwyn 105/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest i Reuters 106/120 Climate change activists set up a miniature garden on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protes Reuters 107/120 Climate change activists set up a miniature garden on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protes Reuters 108/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 109/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 110/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 111/120 The Extinction Rebellion protesters have set up camp in Hyde Park PA 112/120 The group plan to disrupt London's infrastructure in a climate protest PA 113/120 Thousands of people are due to descend on the capital to take part Jeremy Selwyn 114/120 They have set up a large camp in Hyde Park Jeremy Selwyn 115/120 A crowd of protesters gathers in Hyde Park, London PA 116/120 A protester sits in a hammock at the campsite Jeremy Selwyn 117/120 The protest could last days or even weeks Jeremy Selwyn 118/120 They have pledged to block five central locations including Parliament Square in a non-violent act of resistance PA 119/120 Protesters will converge on Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, as well as near Parliament, peacefully blocking traffic PA 120/120 A protester sits by an activity timetable in Hyde Park PA 1/120 A climate change protester in a hammock hanging from the trees at Parliament Square, London PA 2/120 Protesters march toward Parliament in London AP 3/120 A cardboard cutout of David Attenborough is held up as protesters march toward parliament with Nelson's Column in the background AP 4/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters at their final destination of Parliament Square in Westminster after marching from their camp at Marble Arch PA 5/120 Protesters at the Extinction Rebellion (XR) camp in Marble Arc PA 6/120 Police watch Extinction Rebellion protesters at their final destination of Parliament Square in Westminster after marching from their camp at Marble Arch PA 7/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters reach their final destination of Parliament Square in WestminsteR PA 8/120 A climate change protester in a hammock hanging from the trees at Parliament Square, London Jeremy Selwyn 9/120 Police officers arrest and carry away a climate change activist from a demonstration blocking Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 10/120 olice officers gather for an operation at the climate change camp where activists are blocking Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 11/120 Police surround the Extinction Rebellion demonstration PA 12/120 A climate change activist is detained during the Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Reuters 13/120 A police officer removes a haystack during the Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Reuters 14/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 15/120 Protesters from the Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus EPA 16/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge PA 17/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 18/120 Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Jeremy Selwyn 19/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 20/120 Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Jeremy Selwyn 21/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station in east London as part of the ongoing climate change protests in the capital PA 22/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 23/120 Two men and two women from the Extinction Rebellion group have glued themselves to a fence outside Jeremy Corbyn's house PA 24/120 Police officers detain a climate change activist at Waterloo Bridge Reuters 25/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station 26/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station BBC 27/120 A climate activist after he glued himself to a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA 28/120 Police detain a protester as climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest, at Canary Wharf DLR station Reuters 29/120 Protesters blockade of Waterloo Bridge on the third day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion grou Alex Lentati 30/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 31/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 32/120 Police talk to climate activists who climbed on top of a Dockland Light Railway train and glued theimselves to the carriage at Canary Wharf station in east London PA 33/120 A climate protester is removed from the top of the DLR train AFP/Getty Images 34/120 Climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 35/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA 36/120 Officers carry an activist as they remove demonstrators from their blockade of Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 37/120 A member of the public passes a graffiti left by protesters from the Extinction Rebellion campaign group EPA 38/120 Police officers remove protesters from a blockade on Waterloo Bridg Getty Images 39/120 Police officers remove protesters from a blockade on Waterloo Bridge during the second day of a coordinated protest by the Extinction Rebellion group Getty Images 40/120 Police officers detain a climate change activist REUTERS 41/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group, in London AFP/Getty Images 42/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 43/120 Commuters cycle past a pink boat placed in the road at Oxford Circus by activists, on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 44/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch, London, as more than 100 people have been arrested as police deal with ongoing climate change protests PA 45/120 Activists sit in the road amongst trees as they continue to block traffic from Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 46/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 47/120 Activists sit with thier tents in the road after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 48/120 Demonstrators chain and glue themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge in London during a Extinction Rebellion protest PA 49/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 50/120 An activist brushes his teeth after waking up near Marble Arch AFP/Getty Images 51/120 Pedestrians walk to work over Waterloo Bridge during climate change protest EPA 52/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 53/120 Activists take part in yoga in the road after after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 54/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 55/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch, PA 56/120 Activists sit with their tents in the road after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 57/120 Demonstrators chain and glue themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge in London during a Extinction Rebellion protest PA 58/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 59/120 Pedestrians walk over Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 60/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest continues in Marble Arch PA 61/120 Activists lay in their tents in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 62/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 63/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 64/120 An activist sits in a sleeping back after waking up near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 65/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 66/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest continues in Marble Arch PA 67/120 Activists block the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 68/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 69/120 Activists pour drinks near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 70/120 Activists' tents stand in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 71/120 Activists prepare drinks from a tent in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 72/120 Police patrol during the second day of Extinction Rebellion protest at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 73/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 74/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 75/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 76/120 Police patrol during the second day of Extinction Rebellion protest at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 77/120 An activist sprays graffiti on to the porch covering the entrance to the Shell Centre AFP/Getty Images 78/120 Protesters unfurl a poster accusing shell of 'ecoside' AFP/Getty Images 79/120 Climate protesters also scaled the building and daubed slogans above a glass awning AFP/Getty Images 80/120 A woman glued her hands to the door of the building Reuters 81/120 Environmental protesters from the Extinction Rebellion arrive to stage a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 82/120 Environment activists from Extinction Rebellion block Oxford Circus with a sailing boat to highlight the threat of global warming on the planet and ecosystem Rex Features 83/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest at Marble Arch PA 84/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 85/120 Environmental protesters from the Extinction Rebellion group arrive with a tree to stage a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 86/120 A demonstrator uses a makeshift skateboard ramp on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 87/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters stop traffic in Oxford Circus Rex Features 88/120 Environment activists from Extinction Rebellion block Oxford Circus to highlight the threat of global warming on the planet and ecosystem Rex Features 89/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters stop traffic in Oxford Circus Rex Features 90/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 91/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 92/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 93/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge surrounded by trees Reuters 94/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest at Marble Arch PA 95/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 96/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 97/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 98/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 99/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 100/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 101/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 102/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 103/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 104/120 Police stroll through the makeshift camp Jeremy Selwyn 105/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest i Reuters 106/120 Climate change activists set up a miniature garden on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protes Reuters 107/120 Climate change activists set up a miniature garden on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protes Reuters 108/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 109/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 110/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 111/120 The Extinction Rebellion protesters have set up camp in Hyde Park PA 112/120 The group plan to disrupt London's infrastructure in a climate protest PA 113/120 Thousands of people are due to descend on the capital to take part Jeremy Selwyn 114/120 They have set up a large camp in Hyde Park Jeremy Selwyn 115/120 A crowd of protesters gathers in Hyde Park, London PA 116/120 A protester sits in a hammock at the campsite Jeremy Selwyn 117/120 The protest could last days or even weeks Jeremy Selwyn 118/120 They have pledged to block five central locations including Parliament Square in a non-violent act of resistance PA 119/120 Protesters will converge on Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, as well as near Parliament, peacefully blocking traffic PA 120/120 A protester sits by an activity timetable in Hyde Park PA

Just before 11.30am hundreds of protesters took up roadblock positions on the Marble Arch junction.

On Park Lane, lorries and coaches were stranded as flag waving protesters sat in the road, while others clapped along to tambourines.

A crowd gathered in front of an open truck that was being transformed into a “mega-stage”, with people clapping along to “We want justice” to the tune of We Will Rock You.

After the chanting ended a speaker told the crowd that they would continue to block the road “until the government agrees to negotiate with us.”

According to traffic app Waze, cars, vans and buses in central London were travelling at max speeds of 4mph at Marble Arch, 2mph at Oxford Circus, 7mph around Waterloo Bridge and 4mph at Parliament Square.

Follow the latest developments on the protests LIVE

Later an activist who gave her name as Storm Granny gave a talk on “de-escalation tactics” to use with the police.

PA Abigail Kidd, 30, said it was the first time she was taking part in a protest.

She told the Standard: “I appreciate everyone has a job to do but for one day it’s important to show those that have the power what’s important.

“We need to get the message to politicians, people that have the power to prioritise what’s important.”

Her friend , who gave her name as Fran, said: “I’m here because we’re facing a climate breakdown and the conventional ways of trying to communicate have failed. We need action.”

She stressed that protest was peaceful and non-violent, adding: “We’re not here to get arrested, but we know we’re breaking the law.”

At Oxford Circus the demonstrators parked a pink sailing boat emblazoned with the words Tell the Truth in the middle of the busy junction.

Activists set up a kitchen doling out free vegetarian food while others lay down in the road.

Scotland Yard said Waterloo Bridge, Park Lane and Oxford Circus were closed by midday but they expected more disruption later and warned motorists and commuters to expect delays.

Organisers had threatened to converge on Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge, Piccadilly Circus and Parliament Square in non-violent action which could last for weeks.

Activists said they hope to create a “festival” of action, including people’s assemblies, performances, talks, workshops and food.

The movement, which is demanding the Government takes urgent action on climate change and wildlife declines, has received support from actress and activist Dame Emma Thompson and former archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams.

Demonstrators arrived at London’s Hyde Park on Sunday, some having journeyed to the city on foot in recent weeks from various parts of the UK.

Monday will see people in at least 80 cities in more than 33 countries hold similar demonstrations on the same environmental issues, campaigners said.

While organisers encouraged people to set up camp in Hyde Park overnight into Monday, they were warned they could be breaking the law by doing so under Royal Parks legislation.

A spokeswoman for The Royal Parks said Extinction Rebellion had not asked for permission to begin the protest in the park and that camping is not allowed.

But police said no arrests were made overnight after earlier explaining their operational response to camping “would be dependent on what if any other issues might be ongoing at the time”.