Rolling roadblocks have brought parts of the M4 to a standstill as protesters target motorways in a demonstration over soaring fuel prices.
Campaigners focused on a stretch of motorway between Bristol and South Wales, including the Prince of Wales Severn bridge crossing, as part of action calling for a cut in fuel duty.
The protests are understood to have been organised via social media under the banner Fuel Price Stand Against Tax.
Chief Superintendent Tom Harding, of Gwent Police, said the force was seeing ‘significant delays’ both east and westbound on the Prince of Wales Bridge due to the planned protest.
Alongside blocking the M4, the protest will likely have a knock-on impact on the nearby M5 and the A48, according to police.
Avon and Somerset Police also warned of two slow-moving roadblocks in their area.
Elsewhere, Essex Police said it was aware of planned protests and vowed to ‘minimise disruption to the public on the county’s main roads’.
And in West Yorkshire, a group of protesters were spotted in discussions with police at the M62 Ferrbyridge Services. Police had deployed stingers to block protesters from leaving the service station.
Other major roads could also be affected today, according to campaign group FairFuelUK said.
The organisation is not involved in the action but founder Howard Cox said he is ‘fully supportive’ of the demonstrations so long as they are conducted legally.
Gwent Police said it is working with Avon and Somerset Police and neighbouring forces as they prepare for ‘serious disruption throughout the day’.
The protests are understood to be organised via social media under the banner Fuel Price Stand Against Tax.
Mr Cox said he believes the protests will target mainly three-lane motorways and see slow-downs on two lanes, leaving the fast lane clear for traffic to pass.
Mr Cox said: ‘I totally support their protest because people have reached the end of their tethers at the moment.’
He said other countries had cut fuel duty by more than the UK and asked ‘why the hell are we not doing it here?’
Figures from data firm Experian show the average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached a new high of 191.4p on Thursday, while diesel rose to 199.1p.
PRINCE OF WALES BRIDGE: Chief Superintendent Tom Harding, of Gwent Police, said the force was seeing ‘significant delays’ both east and westbound on the Prince of Wales Bridge (pictured) due to the planned protest
M54 SHROPSHIRE: Drivers in vans, trucks and cars are on a go-slow protest on the M54 (pictured) near Telford, Shropshire. The Fuel Price Stand Against Tax Group are slowing traffic to 30mph in lanes one and two on southbound carriageway from Junction 4
A12 ESSEX: Protesters blockade the A12 from Colchester towards London, in a protest against the high cost of fuel. Kelvedon, Essex
M62 FERRYBRIDGE SERVICES: Motorists could face major disruption on Monday amid widespread protests at rising petrol and diesel costs and calls for a cut in fuel duty. Pictured: Fuel protesters are spoken to by police at Ferrybridge Services, West Yorkshire
Organisers are expected to block the Prince of Wales Bridge crossing between England and Wales, according to police. Essex Police said they are also aware of a planned protest and will work to ‘minimise disruption to the public on the county’s main roads’. Pictured: A car with stickers on in preparation for today’s planned rolling road protest on the M62 , Ferrybridge service station Pontefract, West Yorkshire
Last week, Chancellor Rishi Sunak told MPs he will carefully consider calls for a ‘more substantial’ fuel duty cut after the 5p per litre reduction implemented in March failed to halt price rises.
Mr Cox called for a cut of at least 20p, and warned that protests will continue if not.
He said: ‘There is an appetite (for such protest). If the Government don’t actually deliver on this, I think there’s going to be some serious escalation of protests.’
One of the protesters taking part in the demonstration at Magor services today, Martin Crowley, 48, a self-employed exotic animal courier from Cardiff, said fuel prices are damaging his livelihood.
‘Fuel cost me £280 over two days last week. It’s unbelievable.
‘You can hardly make a living any more,’ Mr Crowley said.
Meanwhile, former HGV driver Vicky Stamper, 41, from Cwmbran said she and her partner Darren had to leave jobs in Bristol because they could not afford the fuel any longer.
Ms Stamper said: ‘We had to leave those jobs because it was costing us £380 a week just to get to and from work.
One fuel protester holding a sign urging drivers to go slow and ‘be patient’ during a demonstration at the Ferrybridge Services in West Yorkshire
A protester walks over a police stinger as the police close off the exit junction at Ferrybridge services
Police speak to motorists at the Ferrybridge Services on the M62, West Yorkshire, today ahead of protests
Fuel protest signage on cars in Leeds, England. Prices for petrol and diesel have risen steadily this year as the price of oil has climbed, due to post-pandemic demand and sanctions against Russia, one of the world’s largest oil exporter
‘I then lost a job two weeks ago because the company couldn’t afford to put fuel in that many lorries so, last in first out.’
She said the situation had taken an emotional toll on her and her family.
Talking about the disruption that the protest will cause to drivers on the M4, Ms Stamper added: ‘We’re doing this for us and for them. If they want to have a moan, they should join us instead.’
Asked what she would ask Boris Johnson to do, she said: ‘Resign.’
Mobile welder Richard Dite, 44, from Maesteg, South Wales said it is costing him over £300 in fuel to get to work every week due to price hikes.
‘It’s costing me £300 a week before I even get to work and earn anything,’ Mr Dite told PA news agency.
‘My only option soon will be to put the welding gear in the shed and call it a day, maybe go on the doll.
‘Face it at this rate I’ll be on more that way.’
He was joined at Magor Service Station with around a dozen or more other people who drove across the Prince of Wales Bridge in protest of fuel tax.
Gwent Police said protest is expected to take place on the road network between 7am and 7pm on Monday.
They said organisers had indicated an intention to block the Prince of Wales Bridge, with the protest starting on the M4 at Magor services, junction 23A eastbound, and junction 20 of the M4 westbound.
Pictured: Stand up to fuel price campaigners create a rolling blockade along the M4 towards the Prince of Wales Bridge this morning
Drivers in vans, trucks and cars are on go-slow protest . The Fuel Price Stand Against Tax Group are slowing traffic to 30mph in lanes one and two on southbound carriageway from Junction 4 on M54
Despite efforts from G7 leaders to place a market cap on the price of Russian oil, the eastern state could drop daily crude production by five million barrels without excessive damage to their economy, financial analysts have concluded
Chief Superintendent Tom Harding said he would encourage drivers to reconsider their journey, consider working from home and avoid the area where possible.
He said: ‘We are seeing significant delays both east and westbound on the Prince of Wales Bridge due to the planned protest.
‘We are seeking to return traffic to normal as soon as possible.
‘Please keep an eye on our social media channels for further updates throughout the day.’
Meanwhile, Avon and Somerset Police said two slow-moving roadblocks in the force area have a potential to cause disruption – one on the M4 westbound, travelling from junction 17 towards Wales, and another on the M5 northbound, due to travel from junction 24 towards Almondsbury Interchange later.
Avon and Somerset police tweeted: ‘A slow-moving rolling roadblock is under way on the M4.
‘A number of vehicles will head east over the Prince of Wales Bridge and expected to exit the M4 at J22 (Pilning).
‘There they plan to re-join westbound towards Wales.
‘A similar protest from the England side is also expected.’
Bristol Airport advised travellers to allow extra time for their journeys.
In a tweet, the airport said: ‘Please note that there is a planned fuel protest to block the River Severn Bridge crossings this Monday July 4 from 8.30am.
‘The protest will likely affect the M5, M4 and the two crossings to Wales. Please allow extra time if travelling to or from the airport.’
Essex Police Chief Inspector Anna Granger said her officers ‘are experienced at dealing with incidents which cause significant disruption’.
She said: ‘We will be monitoring the situation closely and have a policing operation in place to limit disruption.’
Gloucestershire Police said protests are likely to affect the A48, causing travel disruption in the Gloucester and Forest of Dean areas.
There was also a small protest on the M62 between junctions 34 and 35 near Leeds, which authorities say caused ‘minimal disruption’.
A protest on the M180 near Scunthorpe also caused disruption, before being ‘turned back’ by police.
Meanwhile, Devon and Cornwall Police tweeted: ‘We are aware of a go-slow protest having commenced at 7:10am from Exeter Services heading northbound. ‘This is currently around a dozen vehicles in size and is being accompanied by police vehicles to ensure the safety of all road users.’
A Government spokesperson said: ‘We understand that people are struggling with rising prices which is why we have made the biggest cut ever on all fuel duty rates, saving the average UK car driver around £100, van driver around £200 and haulier over £1,500.
‘While we respect the right to protest, people’s day-to-day lives should not be disrupted, especially on busy motorways where lives are put at risk and resulting traffic delays will only add to fuel use.
‘The new Public Order Bill will make it a criminal offence to glue yourself to a dangerous motorway, which sees police spending hours trying to safely remove people.’
For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel
[ad_2]
Source link
hartford car insurance shop car insurance best car insurance quotes best online car insurance get auto insurance quotes auto insurance quotes most affordable car insurance car insurance providers car insurance best deals best insurance quotes get car insurance online best comprehensive car insurance best cheap auto insurance auto policy switching car insurance car insurance quotes auto insurance best affordable car insurance online auto insurance quotes az auto insurance commercial auto insurance instant car insurance buy car insurance online best auto insurance companies best car insurance policy best auto insurance vehicle insurance quotes aaa insurance quote auto and home insurance quotes car insurance search best and cheapest car insurance best price car insurance best vehicle insurance aaa car insurance quote find cheap car insurance new car insurance quote auto insurance companies get car insurance quotes best cheap car insurance car insurance policy online new car insurance policy get car insurance car insurance company best cheap insurance car insurance online quote car insurance finder comprehensive insurance quote car insurance quotes near me get insurance