Protests on first day of petrol price rise
Petrol prices rose across Britain today sparking angry protests from motorists.
Fuel protesters called on drivers to take part in a mass demonstration against an increase in fuel tax at 0830 BST this morning.
Drivers were asked to stop their vehicles for one minute in the middle of rush hour. The People’s Fuel Lobby, which organised the protest, claimed it had strong support.
‘It’s looking absolutely amazing,’ said co-ordinator Andrew Spence.
‘We have got a lot of haulage companies on board who are planning to go very slow on the motorways.’
The Government announced a 1.28p per litre increase in fuel duty last week. It had been announced in the Budget in April, but postponed because of the war in Iraq.
Supermarkets including Asda, Sainsbury’s, Safeway and Morrisons have promised to absorb the fuel duty rise rather than pass the increase on to their customers.
The AA Motoring Trust refused to support today’s protest, saying: ‘We could not as an organisation support a protest that will cause serious disruption and prevents people from going about their everyday lives.’
Road hauliers are preparing to hold further protests over the price hike and Road Haulage Association chairman Val Smith is due to deliver a letter of protest to Downing Street on Wednesday.
Farmers and hauliers held mass protests and blockades in 2000 over fuel price increases, bringing much of the UK to a standstill.
Environmental lobby group Friends of the Earth is supporting the fuel duty rise, as it will encourage people to use their cars less.
