Fuel protests UK LIVE: Drivers face CHAOS as 12 arrested on the M4 following go-slow convoys protesting petrol prices

Automobile
By peter paul 55 0


COPS are warning motorists to expect “serious disruption” as protesters demonstrate over high fuel prices on Britain’s motorways.

Tom Harding, the Gwent Police chief superintendent, has confirmed 12 people were arrested during the fuel price protest on the M4.

All were arrested for breaching the legal notice issued by the police prior to the protest by driving at under 30 mph for “a prolonged amount of time”.

Roads in various parts of the country could be subject to traffic jams on Monday as protesters take action and call for a cut in fuel duty.

Brits have been urged to work from home as roads in various parts of the country are subject to 12 hours of traffic jams while activists call for a cut in fuel duty.

Protests are targeting mainly three-lane motorways and see slow-downs on two lanes, leaving the fast lane free, according to FairFuelUK founder Howard Cox.

While he said his organisation is not involved in the action, he is “fully supportive” of the demonstrations so long as they are conducted legally.

The protests are understood to be organised via social media under the banner Fuel Price Stand Against Tax.

Read our fuel protests live blog for the latest info & travel updates…

  • What is happening today?

    Demonstrators are targeting motorways across the UK today in demonstration over rising costs at the pumps.

    Brits have been urged to work from home as roads are subject to 12 hours of traffic jams while activists call for a cut in fuel duty.

    Groups hit parts of the M4 from 7am, with a convoy of around 20 vehicles seen at the Magor services near Caldicot, South Wales.

    Organisers have also blocked the Prince of Wales Bridge crossing between England and Wales.

  • Devon and Cornwall Police have said ‘drivers were given formal warnings’ after protests

    Devon and Cornwall Police have released a statement on protests in their area.

    Superintendent Adrian Leisk said the motorway protest lasted for a few hours and ended around 11am.

    He said: “Officers escorted three vehicles off the road near Buckfastleigh. These drivers were given formal warnings and were advised over acceptable parameters of their protests, including a minimum speed and leaving lanes clear.

    “They were informed that any breach of these directions would lead to an arrest. At around 10.45am we received further reports of unsafe driving on the A38 near Ivybridge.

    “One road user, a man in his 50s, ignored the previous warning given to him and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of breach of the Public Order Act and taken into police custody.”

  • Police statement following the Ferrybridge protest

    Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson has now said in a statement:

    “Police engaged with the small number of protestors who attended at Ferrybridge services on Monday morning to explore possible ways in which they could peacefully demonstrate without negatively affecting the wider public.

    “It was clear the proposed ‘go slow’ protest on the network would potentially have caused significant gridlock across the North of England.

    “Officers took action to avoid the disruption and ensure the wider safety of protestors and road users.

    “The force is committed to working in partnership with all stakeholders including those who wish to lawfully demonstrate, and is happy to discuss matters with them going forwards.”

  • Arrested M4 protesters targeted ‘unfairly’ by police, claim activists

    A number of the M4 protesters have said they believe those who were arrested have been “unfairly” targeted by Gwent Police and Avon and Somerset Police.

    Drivers of the vehicles conducting a rolling roadblock on the motorway from Magor Services, South Wales, this morning were arrested for a public order offence, breaching the rules requiring them to drive at a speed of 30mph or more.

    Passengers of some of the vehicles, who were driven back to the service station in a police van just before midday, said some of the motorists were unable to drive any faster due to the demonstrators leading the convoy driving at about 10-15mph.

  • EasyJet’s Chief Operating Offier to RESIGN

    EasyJet has announced its chief operating officer Peter Bellew has resigned amid growing pressure on the airline to reduce flight disruption.

    Johan Lundgren, the airline’s chief executive, said: “I would like to thank Peter for his hard work and wish him well.

    “Everyone at easyJet remains absolutely focused on delivering a safe and reliable operation this summer.”

  • Protests held on M54 in Shropshire

    In Shropshire, fuel price campaigners held a protest on the M54.

    West Mercia Police officers were in attendance as protesters travelled in slow convoy on the motorway between J1 and J4 from 7am until around 8.30am.

    “Unfortunately the tactics used by some protesters today compromised the safety of other road users,” a force spokesman said.

    “Officers gathered evidence during the event and we will take action against those who committed road traffic offences.

    “The ability to protest is a fundamental part of democracy, however, when protests start to endanger the public and put the safety of others at risk, appropriate and proportionate action will be taken.

    “We apologise for any disruption caused this morning and thank the public for their patience and co-operation.”

  • No signs of protests during rush hour traffic says West Yorkshire Police

    West Yorkshire Police said a “small group” of motorists were protesting about fuel prices in the vicinity of Ferrybridge services.

    “There is currently no disruption to the motorway network in the rush-hour period, but we would advise drivers to avoid Ferrybridge services,” a force spokesman said.

    “We acknowledge the importance of lawful protests but will deal swiftly with any criminal offences.

    “It is clear deliberate disruption of the network will inconvenience huge numbers of people, draw police resources away from other important work and potentially delay the response times of all emergency services.”

  • What’s going on with the motorway delays?

    Demonstrators are targeting motorways across the UK today in demonstration over rising costs at the pumps.

    Brits have been urged to work from home as roads are subject to 12 hours of traffic jams while activists call for a cut in fuel duty.

    Groups hit parts of the M4 from 7am, with a convoy of around 20 vehicles seen at the Magor services near Caldicot, South Wales.

  • Frustrated drivers play football as M4 brought to a standstill

    FRUSTRATED drivers were spotted playing football on the M4 this morning after fuel protests brought traffic to a standstill.

    Motorists got out of their cars for a kickabout amid the “serious disruption” over soaring petrol prices.

  • Convoy heading northbound on M5

    The go-slow convoy is now making its way northbound on the M5.

    Avon and Somerset Police’s latest updated reads: “The moving roadblock protest has passed M5 J20 (Clevedon) and is continuing northbound at approximately 25mph.”

  • Statement from Avon & Somerset Police

    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.”

  • Drivers doing 20mph creating huge tailbacks

    Fuel protesters who were heading eastbound on the M4 turned around at exit 17 for Chippenham.

    Drivers are currently doing around 20mph, causing huge tailbacks.

  • Fuel protestors bring M4 to standstill with rolling road blocks

    Rolling roadblocks have brought parts of the M4 to a standstill as protesters target motorways in a demonstration over high 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.

  • Pictured: Go slow convoy crosses bridge from England to Wales – with a police escort

    Britain’s motorways are facing severe disruption as a protest against the rising cost of petrol continues.

    The image below shows a go-slow convoy driving across the Prince of Wales bridge during this morning’s rush hour.

    The convoy was escorted by police across the busy bridge.

  • Former HGV driver had to quit job due to £380 weekly petrol bill

    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.

    “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.”

  • Both carriageways of M4 were COMPLETELY blocked off near Severn Bridge

    For a few minutes both carriageways of the M4 approaching the M4 Prince of Wales Severn Bridge crossing were brought to a standstill by go-slow protests travelling east and west.

    Two police motorcyclists rode in front of four vehicles travelling at around 30mph from the Bristol area towards South Wales.

    There was a marked police patrol car behind the protestors, followed by dozens of queuing motorists.

    A larger convoy of protestors drove over the Severn crossing heading into England from Wales with a large backlog of traffic following behind.





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