Fuel price protest latest: 12 arrests on M4 after roads targeted in fuel duty action

The average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached a new high of 191.4p in recent days, while diesel rose to 199.1p
Daniel Keane4 July 2022

Motorists have experienced serious disruption across the country as protesters target motorways in a demonstration over high fuel prices.

Gwent Police chief superintendent Tom Harding has confirmed a total of 12 people were arrested during the fuel price protest on the M4.

All were arrested for breaching the legal notice issued by the police prior to the protest by driving at under 30 mph for “a prolonged amount of time”.

Roads in various parts of the country were subject to traffic jams on Monday morning as protesters take action and call for a cut in fuel duty.

Protests will target mainly three-lane motorways and see slow-downs on two lanes, leaving the fast lane free, according to FairFuelUK founder Howard Cox.

As of Monday morning, demonstrations were ongoing at a Tesco petrol station in Shepton Mallet, on the M54 in Shropshire and on the westbound carriageway of the M4 near to the Prince of Wales crossing.

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4 July 2022

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4 July 2022

Watch: Fuel price campaigners take to roads with rolling blockades across the UK

4 July 2022

Twelve arrested during M4 fuel protest

Gwent Police chief superintendent Tom Harding has confirmed a total of 12 people were arrested during the fuel price protest on the M4.

All were arrested for breaching the legal notice issued by the police prior to the protest by driving at under 30 mph for “a prolonged amount of time”.

“Over the last two weeks, we have been working jointly with a number of partners to ensure that emergency and critical services could continue and to prevent serious disruption to both road users and local communities,” Chief Supt Harding said.

“The right to protest under UK law must be balanced with the rights of the wider community who may be affected. By implementing restrictions on the moving protest, we aimed to protect the public and local communities.

“Along with partners, we identified that failing to comply with the legal notice requirements would lead to emergency and critical services being restricted therefore posing a risk to local communities, action was taken when I deemed these risks existed.

“We are aware of other driving offences, not connected to the protest, such as the use of a mobile phone whilst driving. These offences will be dealt with appropriately.”

4 July 2022

Pictured: Protesters are held back by police as they close the edit junction to Ferrybridge service station

Drivers Angry Over Fuel Prices Hold 'Go-Slow' Protest
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4 July 2022

Shepton Mallet protest ends

The protest at Tesco petrol station in Shepton Mallet has ended, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Meanwhile, both east and westbound lanes of the Prince of Wales bridge between England and Wales have re-opened.

It partially closed on Monday morning while protesters crossed in a ‘go-slow’ demonstration.

The bridge was captured near-empty from a vehicle taking part.

PA
4 July 2022

Arrest after ‘unsafe driving’ on A38

Devon and Cornwall Police said “excessive slow speeds” were recorded on the A38, leading to cars braking suddenly and “potentially causing a serious issue on our roads”.

Three vehicles were escorted off the road near Buckfastleigh and the drivers given formal warnings. Later that morning police 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,” Superintendent Adrian Leisk said.

4 July 2022

M4 arrests ‘unfair’, protesters say

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, 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 said motorists were unable to drive any faster due to the demonstrators leading the convoy driving at about 10-15mph.

4 July 2022

Officers ‘took action' at Ferrybridge services, Yorkshire

West Yorkshire Police said officers “took action” to avoid disruption as a small group of protesters gathered at Ferrybridge services, near Leeds.

Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson said: “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.

“Officers took action to avoid the disruption and ensure the wider safety of protestors and road users.”

The protest has cleared.

4 July 2022

Pictured: Protesters in Yorkshire

Protesters block the exit of Ferrybridge service station in Leeds
Protesters block the exit of Ferrybridge service station in Leeds
Getty Images
Protester holds a sign on the roundabout at Ferrybridge
Protester holds a sign on the roundabout at Ferrybridge
Getty Images
Protesters slow traffic on the A64 in York
Protesters slow traffic on the A64 in York
Getty Images
4 July 2022

Protest near Ferrybridge cleared, police confirm

Police said the protest near Ferrybridge services in Yorkshire has cleared but there was a go-slow by campaigners on the A64 in the York area.

"We're working closely with local and regional partner agencies to minimise disruption," North Yorkshire Police said.

"We have additional officers and support in place to ensure protest activity is lawful and disruption is kept to a minimum."

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