Capital warned of protests gridlock

West London faced traffic gridlock today as fuel protesters headed for Hyde Park. Edinburgh was also due to be affected.

West London faced traffic gridlock today as fuel protesters headed for Hyde Park. Edinburgh was also due to be affected.

In London, police were criticised for their decision to close the one of the main arterial routes - the A40 Westway. Edmund King of the RAC described it as an over-reaction that could do more to paralyse London than the protesters themselves.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said that police had to balance difficulties with the rights of the protesters to stage a legitimate demonstration.

About 60 vehicles headed down the M48, 25 were on ther M1 and a further 40 were expected from the North East.

Yesterday was the end of the 60-day deadline set in September by protesters demanding tax concessions. Today's demonstrations went ahead despite some concessions announced by the Chancellor last week in his pre-Budget statement.