Stroud's Extinction Rebellion protest group halted deliveries of waste to Javelin Park incinerator today. 

Three protestors from the group, dressed in overalls, hard hats and 'Law Enforcement Agents' armbands, stood in front of the site's gates, blocking access to incoming vehicles. 

Other protestors stood nearby, holding banners and placards.

Several police were also in attendance while a police drone flew overhead as protestors refused to allow the refuse lorries into the site.

Campaigners asked whether they could inspect the rubbish inside the lorries to see if it contained any recyclable waste. 

When the operators of the incinerator, Ubaser Balfour Beatty refused permission, the protestors instead requested to be allowed to watch the disposal process.

UBB refused this request, but offered to live stream a video of the rubbish being inspected inside the incinerator.

Extinction Rebellion refused to take up the compromise, before eventually leaving shortly before 2pm. 

"Thanks to our presence we were able to stop several vehicles we suspected of bringing recyclable, hazardous and compostable waste for incineration. One vehicle even had 'Recycling' written on its side," said a Extinction Rebellion spokesman.   

It is believed a total of three trucks were prevented from entering the site and operations were delayed.

A spokesperson from Gloucestershire County Council said, “We respect the right to peaceful protest, but in this case things have gone too far."

"The protest has caused disruption to the delivery of waste to the facility and as a result the collection of some household waste in Gloucester has been delayed," it added.

According to sources nearby, the disposal trucks that were turned away waited for clear passage in a car park around the corner.

Extinction Rebellion's spokesman group said further,

"The drivers had no written certification as to whether the waste had been sorted. Having been denied permission by the drivers or UBB  to sort samples of the waste ourselves, we are clear that such material was indeed being brought onto the site for incineration."

The group said that they have alerted the Environment Agency as to suspected arrival of unsorted and therefore illegal rubbish. 

"If they do not respond satisfactorily we will consider other means of protecting ourselves and our communities from this illegal procedure," the spokesman added.

In response, Gloucestershire County Council stated, "These waste deliveries mark the beginning of a new way to treat the county’s household waste that can’t be reduced, reused or recycled."

"It will reduce carbon emissions by 40,000 tonnes a year and save taxpayers £100m over the next 25 years. We need to make sure that these deliveries can take place so we can reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill."