Fuel protest - live: 13 arrested for ‘driving too slowly’ after major UK roads targeted

Slow-moving convoys cause delays across country

Petrol prices: Average cost of filling family car set to exceed £100

At least 13 protesters have been arrested for driving too slowly during road blocks demonstrating against high fuel prices.

Police said there had been a legal minimum speed limit in place, but a number of drivers had been caught breaching this.

Twelve were arrested in south Wales, while one driver was arrested in Devon after previously being warned about driving too slowly.

Convoys of protesters drove slowly on purpose on fast-moving roads in a call for fuel duty to be slashed on Monday.

The demonstrations affected stretches of the M4 and M5, as well as main roads in Essex, Devon, York and Shropshire.

A bridge between England and Wales was temporarily closed due to disruption caused by the protest, while other drivers faced delays due to the convoys.

It came a day after the cost of petrol hit a new record, with the average litre price spiking at 191.5p on Sunday.

Key Points

• Thirteen arrests for ‘going too slowly’ in protests
• Police faced ‘challenges’ over A38 protest
• Protests takes place across UK including Welsh border, Essex and Devon
• Petrol hits another new record high as drivers block motorways

[4 July 2022 11:46 · Zoe Tidman]

And over in Shropshire...

Fuel price campaigners have held a protest on the M5 in Shropshire.

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.”

PA

[4 July 2022 11:57 · Zoe Tidman]

At least eight arrested near Prince of Wales crossing

On the westbound carriageway of the M4 near to the Prince of Wales crossing uniformed police officers were arresting eight fuel price protesters who had been driving vehicles.

A PA news agency reporter at the scene said they were being arrested for driving slower than the agreed 30mph speed limit.

It is understood that protesters who had blocked the eastbound carriageway of the Severn crossing were also being arrested.

[4 July 2022 12:16 · Zoe Tidman]

Protesters ‘cause chaos’ on Essex main road

Protesters have also taken to the A12 in Colchester today:

The demonstration caused “chaos” and queues of up to 10 miles this morning, according to local media.

[4 July 2022 12:23 · Zoe Tidman]

12 hours of travel chaos?

The travel chaos could last for up to 12 hours in some parts of the country.

Gwent Police said protests are expected to take place on the road network between 7am and 7pm on Monday.

[4 July 2022 12:33 · Zoe Tidman]

Why are fuel protesters blocking roads?

Fuel activists blocking motorways across the UK in protest against the price of petrol have revealed soaring costs have forced them out of jobs.

“We had to leave those jobs because it was costing us £380 a week just to get to and from work,” one woman said about herself and her partner.

Read more here:

[4 July 2022 12:52 · Zoe Tidman]

No arrests over M5 protest starting at Bridgwater

Avon and Somerset Police have told The Independent there were no arrests made over the slow-moving protest that started at Bridgwater on the M5.

[4 July 2022 13:08 · Zoe Tidman]

Protesters have been seen displaying signs as they slowed down traffic on the A64 in York.

Police confirmed this go-slow protest was happening just before 11am on Monday.

A number of cars were seen driving slowly along one side of the main road, while the opposite side was largely empty.

A slow-moving convoy goes down the A64 in York (Getty Images)

“Fuel crisis go slow,” one held out of a car window said.

A protester holds a sign out of a car taking part in a slow-moving convoy along the A64 (Getty Images)

Another man poked his head out the window and gave a thumbs up.

A protester gives a thumbs up as cars slow down traffic on the A64 (Getty Images)

[4 July 2022 13:26 · Zoe Tidman]

M4 protesters say arrested drivers ‘unfairly’ targeted

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.

PA

[4 July 2022 13:46 · Zoe Tidman]

What happened at the Ferrybridge protest?

West Yorkshire Police has explained what happened at Ferrybridge service station earlier today.

Officers were seen talking to drivers ready to kick off their slow-moving convoy. They had closed off the junction and put down a police stinger.

Police put down a stinger at the exit junction to the service station (Getty Images)

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.”

Police liaison officers spoke to protesters in the car park at Ferrybridge service station (Getty Images)

[4 July 2022 14:05 · Zoe Tidman]

M5 protest ‘safe and legal’ but ‘challenges’ over A38 one, Devon and Cornwall police say

Devon and Cornwall Police have also released a statement on protests in their area, saying M5 ones took place in a “safe and legal manner” but there were “some challenges” with the A38 one.

Superintendent Adrian Leisk said the motorway protest - which went in both directions between Junctions 27 and 28 - lasted for a few hours and ended around 11am.

With the A38 protest, there were reports of “excessively slow speeds” leading to “cars braking suddenly and potentially causing a serious issue on our roads”.

“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,” he said.

“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.”