Police have warned of “serious disruption during the day” as protesters across the UK prepare to block motorways in a protest over high fuel prices. Motorists were warned to reconsider their journeys and stay at home if possible as major roads in several parts of the country faced traffic jams on Monday amid protests calling for a cut in fuel tax. The protesters will mainly target three-lane motorways and aim to achieve a slowdown to two lanes, leaving the fast lane free, according to FairFuelUK founder Howard Cox. The protests are reportedly being organized through social media under the banner Fuel Price Base Against Tax. Organizers are expected to block the Prince of Wales Bridge between England and Wales, while disruption is also possible in Essex and Gloucestershire. The government said while it understood people were struggling with rising prices and had a right to protest, “people’s daily lives should not be disrupted” and warned traffic delays “will only increase fuel use”.
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UK fuel prices hit a record high last week
The protests planned to start this morning were organized on social media as a result of the anger caused by record fuel prices last week. Figures from data firm Experian show the average price of a liter of petrol in UK forecourts hit a new high of £191.4p. on Thursday, while diesel rose to 199.1 p.m. Fuel prices have risen sharply because the price of crude oil, used to make petrol and diesel, has risen. Stuti Mishra July 4, 2022 6:10 am 1656909959
“People’s daily lives should not be disrupted,” the government says
Reacting to the protests, a government spokesman said: “While we respect the right to protest, people’s daily lives should not be disrupted, especially on busy highways where lives are put at risk and the resulting traffic delays will only add fuel to use. “The new Public Order Bill will make it a criminal offense to get stuck on a dangerous motorway where police spend hours trying to get people off safely.” Stuti Mishra July 4, 2022 5:45 am 1656908420
Organizers to block Prince of Wales Bridge and other major motorways
Gwent Police say protests are expected to take place on major road networks between 7am. and 7 p.m. on Monday. They said organizers had indicated their intention to block the Prince of Wales Bridge, with the protest starting from the M4 to Magor services, junction 23A eastbound and junction 20 of the M4 westbound. Chief Superintendent Tom Harding said he would encourage drivers to reconsider their journey, consider working from home and avoid the area where possible. “The protest will likely affect the M5, M4 and both crossings into Wales. Please allow extra time if you are traveling to or from the airport.” Stuti Mishra 4 July 2022 05:20 1656907520
Protesters have “reached the end of their tether,” says FairFuel’s founder
FairFuelUK founder Howard Cox says his organization is not involved in the action but “fully supports” protests as long as they are held legally. Mr Cox told the PA news agency: “I fully support their protest because people have reached the end of the engagement at the moment.” He said other countries had cut fuel tax by more than the UK and asked “why the hell aren’t we doing it here?” Mr Cox called for a cut of at least 20p and warned that protests would continue if not. He said: “There is an appetite (for such a protest). If the government doesn’t really do it, I think there will be some serious escalation of protests.” Stuti Mishra July 4, 2022 5:05 am 1656906444
Police are urging drivers to stay home ahead of the protests
Motorists are being advised to reconsider their journeys and stay at home if possible as major roads across the country faced traffic jams on Monday amid protests calling for a cut in fuel tax. The protests will mainly target three-lane motorways and slow down to two lanes, leaving the fast lane free, according to FairFuelUK founder Howard Cox. Stuti Mishra July 4, 2022 4:47 am 1656905732
Good morning! Welcome to The Independent’s live blog with all the latest updates as protesters across the UK prepare to block motorways in a protest against high fuel prices. Stay tuned! Stuti Mishra July 4, 2022 4:35 am
