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 19:17 · Andy Gregory]

‘Stinger’ caused no damage to vehicles, police say

West Yorkshire Police has defended using a so-called “stinger” at an earlier protest – a device used to puncture vehicles’ tyres, after criticism from protesters.

In a statement reported by ITV News, a spokesperson said the stinger was one of “a number of tactics” used by officers, adding: “A single tyre deflation device was deployed in the early stages of the protest but not as a main method of traffic control.

“It was not used, no damage was caused to any vehicles, and it has been withdrawn.”

Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson was reported as saying later that the force had planned “extensively” for the action, adding: “Officers have been conscious of the extremely emotive nature of high fuel prices and financial pain these costs are causing, but also of the significant impact a motorway protest would have on the region.”