But they had the desired effect of causing traffic jams, generating headlines and challenging the UK government. Protesters are already planning their next move with the bank holiday weekend at the end of August set as a possible date for a slow protest and many talking of trying to bring London to a standstill. Mikey Dave, one of the gate wardens who effectively organized a convoy that drove from the town of Bridgwater in Somerset to Bristol via the M5, M4 and M32, said their protest involved up to 80 vehicles. “That was just the warning of what was to come, just the beginning,” Dave said. “It is going to send the message to the government that it must act. People have to choose between filling up their cars and going to work, feeding their families or heating their homes, that’s not right.” Monday’s action was organized nationally via social media under the banner Fuel Price Stand Against Tax, a Facebook group with more than 50,000 members. A number of local groups such as Dave’s – Stand Up to the Fuel Prices Southwest – have formed after being inspired by the main group. The Bridgwater-based group held two meetings with Avon and Somerset Police to find ways to ensure the protest ran smoothly and safely – which it did. Dave said door supervisors were struggling to cover the costs of just getting to work and he also knew many taxi drivers who were considering quitting. “But it affects everybody,” he said. “There was a lot of support. Not everyone can afford to burn fuel to protest that we were able to sacrifice a little for the greater good.” Dave said he had never organized anything like this before – and many of those involved had never complained until now. He was moved by a woman who took part in the demo because she could not afford to visit her relatives on her pension due to the cost of fuel. “She felt isolated.” Although much smaller and less organised, a protest on the M4 was one of the most high-profile because it blocked the Prince of Wales Motorway bridge between England and South Wales. Twelve people were arrested for breaching a statutory notice stating they were not allowed to drive below 30mph. Sharon Downes, 41, a saddler from Pontypridd, leads her horse on the Prince of Wales Bridge. Photo: Bronwen Weatherby/PA Among those arrested and released under investigation was Sharon Downes, a 46-year-old Samaritan woman from Pontypridd. “It was shocking to be arrested,” he said. “I’ve never been in trouble before.” He admitted that the protest was not properly conducted. “The organizer didn’t show up. No one had any idea where we were going. We ended up in Chippenham. This government does not want people to protest. They make a lot of money and live in their big houses in London.” Vicky Stamper, from south Wales, who said she lost her job as an HGV driver because her company could no longer afford its lorries, said police initially thought she was an organiser. “I couldn’t organize a purse in a brewery and I told them that. I saw a flyer on Facebook about a week ago and decided to join.” She had to pay £150 to get her car back from the pound after it was impounded. “I’m not happy about it.” Vicky Stamper, who was among those arrested at the M4 protest over fuel prices for driving too slowly. Photo: Bronwen Weatherby/PA Chris Taylor, a carer, was a passenger in one of the Prince of Wales Bridge cars. “Everybody’s in the same boat, everybody’s fighting. We have to use the car for trips to the hospital and we are struggling to pay for the fuel.” Taylor was stuck in motorway services for six hours after his driver was arrested. “But I would do it again.” Some protests did not actually take place. William Wilson, a landscape gardener, had planned to block the M6 ​​in the Midlands. “I was planning on chaining myself to a truck. But someone else took up the protest and nothing happened. I’m not going to give up. The price of fuel is killing my business. this government is killing the little people. Next time I will do it myself and stop on the freeway during rush hour. To make the government listen, you have to make a statement.” Back in Bridgwater, Dave said he estimated around 5,000 people had taken part in Monday’s protests across the UK and the managers of the various groups were beginning to plan their next moves. “I don’t want to give too much away until the plans are finalized.” He was not impressed with Home Secretary Priti Patel announcing she wanted police to arrest protesters under the tough new protest law. “Honestly, is he planning to arrest thousands and clog up the justice system even more because people are unhappy with the government? There is not enough manpower for this. Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST “There is no way he can silence the people of the UK who want to stand up for their rights. If people are arrested, I feel that the situation will worsen and cause many people to get involved. There is already talk of a national strike. I think she needs to think very carefully before she throws out threats like that before it comes back to bite her in the rear.”