Road closures in Battersea lifted as pro-Palestine protestor finally descends Nine Elms crane

Road closures in Battersea have been fully lifted as the 69-year-old man who climbed a crane on the Nine Elms Lane development finally descended.

Wandsworth police closed roads around Nine Elms Lane on Tuesday and said officers at the scene were trying to engage with a man who had climbed to the top of a crane on a building site.

It soon emerged that the man was a daring protestor who according to a pro-Palestine activist account on Twitter had climbed the crane in a 'death-defying daredevil act of solidarity for Palestine'.

The man reportedly planned to remain up the crane 'for days' but descended the crane at 4.36pm yesterday (Wednesday, 16 June), having spent over 24 hours in the air with 'no safety net', and few provisions to cope on the hottest day of the year.

He came down the crane before the heavy rainfall arrived but subsequent to his descent he was arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass; going equipped; criminal damage; public nuisance; and public order.

A Met spokesperson said: "He was taken to hospital as a precaution.

"Road closures in the area have now been fully lifted."

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