Thousands of Exeter workers told to avoid M5 Brexit blockade bedlam

Thousands of staff have been warned to stay away from the M5 because of the planned Brexit blockade.

The Met Office, which employs around 1,800 staff at its HQ in Fitzroy Road alerted staff yesterday about the plans by anti-EU group Brexit Direct Action to drive slowly and form a blockade from 5.30pm on Friday on the M5.

And at LiveWest based at Exeter Skypark, which employs more than 1,300 across the region, staff have been told to avoid travelling at 5.30pm when the protest is due to start.

A spokesman for the Met Office said:  "Yesterday we notified our staff of a proposed blockade at Junction 30 of the M5, advising those who may be affected they may wish to consider altering their travel or work plans to reduce any potential impact that may arise."

The demonstration is set to start at Exeter Services before heading on the M5 at a slow speed.

Drivers will travel at 40mph on the motorway, turning off at junction 27, before turning around and heading back towards Exeter Services.

Similar protests have been organised by anti-EU group Brexit Direct Action across the country.

A spokesman for LiveWest said: "There’s no exact directive telling staff to leave early but they have been made aware of the situation and encouraged to manage their journeys accordingly."

Tim Jones, Chairman of South West Business Council has slammed the protest as 'hopelessly irresponsible'.

He said that that the cost to the South West's economy could be as much as £1.25million.

Meanwhile, in Plymouth, pro-Brexit protesters say they intend to disrupt tonight's Brittany Ferry sailing because they are so frustrated with the way the Government and Parliament are handling the UK's departure from the EU.