Police spotting (junction watch)

Aside from obstruction being something akin to riding in an inconsiderate manner (Highway code 68) or (RTA 29: Careless, and inconsiderate, cycling. If a person rides a cycle on a road without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road, he is guilty of an offence.)

Yes, except neither of these would reasonably be applicable in this case. If you were to deliberately block a motorist for miles and miles without the basis of a sound risk assessment as in Ed's case, which led to his decision to position himself in the way he did, in response to a very specific situation.

Remember that the officer's argument was that taking the lane was generally an obstruction of 'traffic'. There is nothing in legislation or the wider advice in the HC that could support this claim.

I'm pretty sure that riding a cycle on the road with a pony tail on full display is also inconsiderate for those around you ;)

I'm typically a lot more worried when I'm riding around men in black.