Extinction Rebellion carried out a litter pick on the A40 in response to remarks made by Witney MP Robert Courts about a previous action.

In March campaigners posted almost 200 broken hearts on the business address door of Mr Courts in support of the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill. At the time Mr Courts said: “Stunts like this, it’s impossible to ignore the waste of resources involved in this use of paper, not only do nothing to tackle climate change but undermine support for the very cause these activists purport to support.

“I would encourage these activists to direct their energy more constructively to improve the environment around them, such as by joining a local litter pick in line with Covid rules.”

Local campaigner Christian Silk said: “Robert Courts told us off for wasting our time, telling us we should stop focusing on the CEE bill and instead pick some litter. To tell the truth we have been litter picking for some time. We therefore did a more organised litter pick with a banner drop to show him we are doing our part - now is he going to do his part and do something active to protect the future for our children rather than hollow promises?

“The CEE bill is so important as it forces the UK to look at all its emissions that over the years we have just shipped to other countries. As you can see this is a massive point far beyond litter picking, and hence ironic that Robert Courts should tell us to stop worrying about this and instead pick litter.”

Mr Courts said: “I’m delighted that, after their recent bout of vandalism and waste, local XR activists have now taken a much more constructive approach by doing a litter pick on the A40. The UK recently set the world’s most ambitious climate change target into law, with an aim to reduce emissions by 78 per cent by 2035. This demonstrates again global leadership on climate change, ahead of the crucial Cop26 summit in Glasgow."