Petition To Slash Fuel Duty Soars Pat 300,000 Signatures
2025.01.09 11:54
A petition to slash fuel duty and ease the pain felt by millions of Britain's motorists today hit 300,000 signatures after activists were earlier arrested for causing delays on major roads in co-ordinated protests against soaring petrol and diesel prices.
The M4 Prince of Wales Severn Bridge, which connects Bristol with South Wales, was closed both ways except to the activists' convoy who held a 'go'-slow demonstration as part of action calling for a cut in fuel duty.
Other protests were held Monday morning on the M54 in Shropshire; near Ferrybridge services on the M62 in West Yorkshire; and on the A12 near Colchester in Essex, causing up to an hour of delays at the latter.
The activists on the M4 were surrounded by police on the Welsh side of the bridge at about 10.40am and arrested on suspicion of driving at 10mph, which police told Wales Online was lower than an agreed speed. Officers then took the protesters into custody and put their vehicles in a highways patrol compound around a mile away.
But a number of the M4 protesters said they believe those who were arrested were 'unfairly' targeted by Gwent Police. Drivers of the vehicles conducting a rolling roadblock from Magor Services were arrested for a public order offence, breaching rules requiring them to drive at a speed of 30mph or more.
Fuel duty and VAT currently make up 85p of the current average £1.91 for a litre of unleaded petrol according to the RAC - with the recent wave of price hikes fuelled by global oil supply issues after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
But consumer groups have long called for further cuts in fuel duty, after Chancellor Rishi Sunak's 5p cut in March failed to ease the misery felt at the pumps by millions of Britain's motorists.
Passengers of some of the vehicles, who were driven back to the services in a police van just before midday, said some of the motorists were unable to drive any faster due to those leading the convoy going at about 10-15mph.
Dozens of police vans and police officers blocked the eastbound and westbound carriageways of the M4 just past the Prince of Wales Bridge into Wales to carry out the arrests. At least 12 protesters were arrested and taken into custody - and it is understood they were transported by police van to Newport Central Police Station.
Earlier today, protester Richard Dite risked six points on his driving licence and a £200 fine by filming a 'go slow' on his phone. Mr Dite, 44, who was driving a blue van, held his phone above the steering wheel while driving at 11mph on the M4 as the protests today focused on the stretch of motorway between Bristol and South Wales.
His actions came as rolling roadblocks brought parts of the M4 to a standstill with protesters targeting motorways in a demonstration over high fuel prices - with up to 12 hours of traffic jams possible according to some reports.
Mr Dite, https://j888.today who also sounded a musical horn from his vehicle which played the Pirates of the Caribbean theme tune, was among about half a dozen vehicles in a small procession and shouted 'give us our country back' while being filmed by a Wales Online reporter in the car with him - but he also admitted it was 'not a very good turnout'.
The mobile welder from Maesteg drives 30 miles to Cardiff for work daily, and said the cost is now 'upwards of £300' a week, having been around '£125 before the price increases'. Mr Dite added: 'I am on the verge of putting my gear in the shed. I would be better off on the dole. That's not me. I am a worker. Something's got to happen.'
Anyone caught using their mobile phone while driving in England or Wales can receive six penalty points on their licence and a £200 fine - and will also lose their licence if they passed their driving test over the last two years. They can also be taken to court where they can be banned from driving or receive a maximum fine of £1,000.
A petition to slash fuel duty and ease the pain felt by millions of Britain's motorists today hit 300,000 signatures after activists were earlier arrested for causing delays on major roads in co-ordinated protests against soaring petrol and diesel prices
One protestor is hauled away by police as motorists caused deliberate delays on the M4 today in protest over fuel prices
Fuel protests speak with police at Colchester's Community Stadium in Essex after a day of motorway chaos across Britain
M4 PRINCE OF WALES BRIDGE: At least eight protesters who were carrying out a demonstration along the M4 today have been arrested on suspicion of committing a public order offence. Dozens of police vans and police officers blocked the eastbound and westbound carriageways of the M4 just past the Prince of Wales Bridge into Wales to carry out the arrests
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M4 PRINCE OF WALES BRIDGE: Those considered passengers in the M4 demonstration today were driven back to Magor service station in South Wales where their convoy started from
M62, FERRYBRIDGE SERVICES: Motorists face major disruption today amid widespread protests at rising petrol and diesel costs and calls for a cut in fuel duty. Pictured: Fuel protesters are spoken to by police at Ferrybridge Services, West Yorkshire
M4: Richard Dite, 44, who was driving a blue van, held his phone above the steering wheel while driving along the M4 today
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M62, FERRYBRIDGE SERVICES: Protesters are held back by police at Ferrybridge service station in West Yorkshire today
M4 PRINCE OF WALES BRIDGE: Fuel price campaigners on the M4 towards the Prince of Wales Bridge this morning
M54 SHROPSHIRE: Drivers in vans, trucks and cars are on a go-slow protest on the M54 near Telford in Shropshire today. The Fuel Price Stand Against Tax Group are slowing traffic to 30mph in lanes one and two on the southbound carriageway from J4
A12 ESSEX: Protesters blockade the A12 from Colchester towards London at Kelvedon, in a protest against the cost of fuel
And the average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached a new high of 191.5p yesterday, according to data firm Experian. The average price of diesel was 199.0p per litre.
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Campaigners today focused on the M4 between Bristol and South Wales, including the Prince of Wales Severn bridge crossing, as part of action calling for a cut in fuel duty.
The M4 Prince of Wales Severn Bridge, which connects Bristol with South Wales, was closed both ways except to the activists' convoy who held a 'go'-slow demonstration as part of action calling for a cut in fuel duty.
Other protests were held Monday morning on the M54 in Shropshire; near Ferrybridge services on the M62 in West Yorkshire; and on the A12 near Colchester in Essex, causing up to an hour of delays at the latter.
The activists on the M4 were surrounded by police on the Welsh side of the bridge at about 10.40am and arrested on suspicion of driving at 10mph, which police told Wales Online was lower than an agreed speed. Officers then took the protesters into custody and put their vehicles in a highways patrol compound around a mile away.
But a number of the M4 protesters said they believe those who were arrested were 'unfairly' targeted by Gwent Police. Drivers of the vehicles conducting a rolling roadblock from Magor Services were arrested for a public order offence, breaching rules requiring them to drive at a speed of 30mph or more.
Fuel duty and VAT currently make up 85p of the current average £1.91 for a litre of unleaded petrol according to the RAC - with the recent wave of price hikes fuelled by global oil supply issues after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
But consumer groups have long called for further cuts in fuel duty, after Chancellor Rishi Sunak's 5p cut in March failed to ease the misery felt at the pumps by millions of Britain's motorists.
Passengers of some of the vehicles, who were driven back to the services in a police van just before midday, said some of the motorists were unable to drive any faster due to those leading the convoy going at about 10-15mph.
Dozens of police vans and police officers blocked the eastbound and westbound carriageways of the M4 just past the Prince of Wales Bridge into Wales to carry out the arrests. At least 12 protesters were arrested and taken into custody - and it is understood they were transported by police van to Newport Central Police Station.
Earlier today, protester Richard Dite risked six points on his driving licence and a £200 fine by filming a 'go slow' on his phone. Mr Dite, 44, who was driving a blue van, held his phone above the steering wheel while driving at 11mph on the M4 as the protests today focused on the stretch of motorway between Bristol and South Wales.
His actions came as rolling roadblocks brought parts of the M4 to a standstill with protesters targeting motorways in a demonstration over high fuel prices - with up to 12 hours of traffic jams possible according to some reports.
Mr Dite, https://j888.today who also sounded a musical horn from his vehicle which played the Pirates of the Caribbean theme tune, was among about half a dozen vehicles in a small procession and shouted 'give us our country back' while being filmed by a Wales Online reporter in the car with him - but he also admitted it was 'not a very good turnout'.
The mobile welder from Maesteg drives 30 miles to Cardiff for work daily, and said the cost is now 'upwards of £300' a week, having been around '£125 before the price increases'. Mr Dite added: 'I am on the verge of putting my gear in the shed. I would be better off on the dole. That's not me. I am a worker. Something's got to happen.'
Anyone caught using their mobile phone while driving in England or Wales can receive six penalty points on their licence and a £200 fine - and will also lose their licence if they passed their driving test over the last two years. They can also be taken to court where they can be banned from driving or receive a maximum fine of £1,000.
A petition to slash fuel duty and ease the pain felt by millions of Britain's motorists today hit 300,000 signatures after activists were earlier arrested for causing delays on major roads in co-ordinated protests against soaring petrol and diesel prices
One protestor is hauled away by police as motorists caused deliberate delays on the M4 today in protest over fuel prices
Fuel protests speak with police at Colchester's Community Stadium in Essex after a day of motorway chaos across Britain
M4 PRINCE OF WALES BRIDGE: At least eight protesters who were carrying out a demonstration along the M4 today have been arrested on suspicion of committing a public order offence. Dozens of police vans and police officers blocked the eastbound and westbound carriageways of the M4 just past the Prince of Wales Bridge into Wales to carry out the arrests
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Watch video Trump won't rule out using force to take Panama Canal & Greenland
Watch video Jess Phillips: Attacks by Musk have turned my 'world upside down'
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Watch video Watch racist Karen's appalling airport meltdown at Southwest employee
Watch video Trump phones into lunch with son and local community in Greenland
Watch video Police rescue puppies from smuggling operation
Watch video President Jimmy Carter's casket arrives in Washington, D.C.
Watch video Horrifying moment woman is violently slammed on the ground
Watch video Chinese hospitals overrun amid COVID-like HMPV virus outbreak
Watch video Donald Trump Jr. explores 'super cool' Greenland
Watch video Terrifying moment mass machete brawl breaks out in shopping centre
M4 PRINCE OF WALES BRIDGE: Those considered passengers in the M4 demonstration today were driven back to Magor service station in South Wales where their convoy started from
M62, FERRYBRIDGE SERVICES: Motorists face major disruption today amid widespread protests at rising petrol and diesel costs and calls for a cut in fuel duty. Pictured: Fuel protesters are spoken to by police at Ferrybridge Services, West Yorkshire
M4: Richard Dite, 44, who was driving a blue van, held his phone above the steering wheel while driving along the M4 today
more videos
1
2
3
Watch video Trump announces he will be renaming 'Gulf of Mexico'
Watch video Trump won't rule out using force to take Panama Canal & Greenland
Watch video Jess Phillips: Attacks by Musk have turned my 'world upside down'
Watch video Moment feather-clad showgirl was KNIFED to death by lunatic on Vegas strip
Watch video Watch racist Karen's appalling airport meltdown at Southwest employee
Watch video Trump phones into lunch with son and local community in Greenland
Watch video Police rescue puppies from smuggling operation
Watch video President Jimmy Carter's casket arrives in Washington, D.C.
Watch video Horrifying moment woman is violently slammed on the ground
Watch video Chinese hospitals overrun amid COVID-like HMPV virus outbreak
Watch video Donald Trump Jr. explores 'super cool' Greenland
Watch video Terrifying moment mass machete brawl breaks out in shopping centre
M62, FERRYBRIDGE SERVICES: Protesters are held back by police at Ferrybridge service station in West Yorkshire today
M4 PRINCE OF WALES BRIDGE: Fuel price campaigners on the M4 towards the Prince of Wales Bridge this morning
M54 SHROPSHIRE: Drivers in vans, trucks and cars are on a go-slow protest on the M54 near Telford in Shropshire today. The Fuel Price Stand Against Tax Group are slowing traffic to 30mph in lanes one and two on the southbound carriageway from J4
A12 ESSEX: Protesters blockade the A12 from Colchester towards London at Kelvedon, in a protest against the cost of fuel
And the average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached a new high of 191.5p yesterday, according to data firm Experian. The average price of diesel was 199.0p per litre.
RELATED ARTICLES
Previous
1
Next
The age of cheap air travel is over! Ryanair boss Michael... Global oil prices could QUADRUPLE to $380 a barrel if Putin... When are car brands going electric? We look at each...
Share this article
Share
Campaigners today focused on the M4 between Bristol and South Wales, including the Prince of Wales Severn bridge crossing, as part of action calling for a cut in fuel duty.