Just Stop Oil protesters could target Cheshire Stanlow refinery, M53 and M56, warns Essar

The company said they will be they will implementing 'additional checks'

'Just Stop Oil' protesters could target the Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port this week. The protests could cause disruption on the M53 and M56 in Cheshire.

Steps are being taken at the Cheshire Stanlow site to combat 'potentially disruptive action', according to Essar Oil UK. The company runs the oil refinery in Ellesmere Port and have been made aware of a campaigning group's plan to cause disruption in the area around the site as part of a protest against the oil sector.

The group, Just Stop Oil, is 'a coalition of groups working together to ensure the government commits to halting new fossil fuel licensing and production'. They have recently been involved in high-profile protests involving Premier League football matches, which have seen demonstrators tie, or attempt to tie, themselves to goalposts, reports NorthWalesLive.

READ MORE: Section of M56 in Cheshire will be completely shut this weekend

Essar say the 'M53, M56 and Oil Sites Road could be target areas' for the group if a protest is to be held this week. So the company has stated it will be implementing 'additional checks'.

In a statement, Essar said: "We have been advised of some potential disruption at Stanlow this week. We have been made aware of a campaigning group called ‘Just Stop Oil’ who have the intention of taking potentially disruptive action against participants in the oil sector.

"Our priority is the safety of our staff, our operations and our local communities. We have a robust and well-practised approach to incident planning and our teams on site have a clear understanding of how to respond well to such events.

"Management of public order incidents like this is the responsibility of the emergency planning authorities, and we are working closely with them to understand, prepare for and respond to this event. They are closely monitoring the situation and providing us with timely information and practical help and advice. Initial information suggests that the M53, M56 and Oil Sites Road could be target areas next week.

"One of the best ways we can ensure our site is safe is to ensure that it is secure. So, we’re putting in place some additional checks next week. This may cause some traffic to back up onto the road near the site and we would ask for your patience should you experience delays because of this.

"You may also notice an increased police presence on and near our Stanlow site." Just Stop Oil and Cheshire Constabulary has been approached for comment.

NEWSLETTER: Sign up for CheshireLive email direct to your inbox here