ENVIRONMENTAL activists have shut down three Barclays Bank branches in Oxford as part of a national protest againts fossil fuel funding. 

Barclays on London Road, Headington, was one of almost 100 hit across the country, and had its doors glued and nailed shut by Greenpeace campaigners overnight.

The environmental organisation is demanding that Barclays, which it claims is the biggest funder of fossil fuels among European banks, stops propping up oil, gas and coal companies and channel funding into renewable energy.

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Oxford Mail:

One Headington resident Stephanie Jenkins sent a photo of the London Road branch and said the doors had been glued and nailed shut.

She added: "Elderly people keep turning up at the door and are very puzzled."

A sign from activists taped on the branch's front doors said: "This Barclays branch has been closed down as part of a peaceful protest by Greenpeace."

A notice from Barclays staff was taped on top of the poster reading: "We regret that our doors have been glued and nailed shut.

"The post office will be able to help with your deposits."

Two other branches - on Cornmarket Street and Hinksey Court, Botley - were also closed down causing a 'whole morning of disruption'.

Oxford Mail:

A staff member of the city centre location, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "I get the point of this but it has caused disruptions for many people and local businesses."

The employee added that when they arrived for work this morning the glass doors were superglued and restricted with metal bars. 

After an urgent call to a locksmith, the Cornmarket Street branch reopened for business at noon. 

Climate finance campaigner at Greenpeace UK Morten Thaysen said about the peaceful protest: "Barclays must stop funding the climate emergency, that is why we have taken action today. 

"The company keeps pumping billions into fossil fuel companies at exactly the time we need to stop backing these polluting businesses. 

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Oxford Mail:

"Banks are just as responsible for the climate emergency as the fossil fuel companies they fund, yet they have escaped scrutiny for years.

"We have shut down branches across the country to shine a spotlight on Barclays’ role in bankrolling this emergency.

"It is time Barclays pulled the plug and backed away from funding fossil fuels for good."