Dozens of activists from the environmental movement Just Stop Oil, which advocates stopping new oil and gas development, blocked and shut down seven gas stations in central London, according to the movement's website.

"This morning, 51 members of Just Stop Oil blocked and disabled gas stations in central London in support of a demand that the U.K. government stop new (oil and gas) production projects in the United Kingdom," the press release said.

Activist protests began at 6 a.m. today in west and south London. In some areas, protesters blocked cars from entering gas stations by sitting on the roads with placards. In other areas, protesters put gas stations out of action by smashing screens and spray-painting them with spray paint.

A total of seven gas stations were blocked in this way.

Just Stop Oil Movement opposes the British government's plan to allow oil and gas production in 46 fields in 2025. Members of the movement have repeatedly staged protests, blocking major roads and sticking themselves to paintings in galleries.

Earlier, the movement announced that thousands of protesters would block the British parliament in protest.