Fuel protests UK LIVE: Drivers face CHAOS as 12 arrested on the M4 following go-slow convoys protesting petrol prices
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COPS are warning motorists to expect "serious disruption" as protesters demonstrate over high fuel prices on Britain's motorways.
Tom Harding, the Gwent Police chief superintendent, has confirmed 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 could be subject to traffic jams on Monday as protesters take action and call for a cut in fuel duty.
Brits have been urged to work from home as roads in various parts of the country are subject to 12 hours of traffic jams while activists call for a cut in fuel duty.
Protests are targeting mainly three-lane motorways and see slow-downs on two lanes, leaving the fast lane free, according to FairFuelUK founder Howard Cox.
While he said his organisation is not involved in the action, he is "fully supportive" of the demonstrations so long as they are conducted legally.
The protests are understood to be organised via social media under the banner Fuel Price Stand Against Tax.
Read our fuel protests live blog for the latest info & travel updates...
Woman reveals ‘game-changing’ petrol station hack
A WOMAN has revealed a “game-changing” petrol station hack that make sure you never over-spend at the pump.
The UK’s fuel prices have been on the rise due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has caused oil prices to soar.
Most of Europe relies on Russia’s oil and gas reserves for its own supply, however leaders have pledged to ban oil imports to punish Moscow which has seen prices skyrocket due to an increased global demand.
The current average petrol price in the UK is £1.82 per litre, with the cost to fill up an average family car reaching £100 on Wednesday.
But a TikToker has found a hack which means Brits don’t overspend on fuel – just with a push of a button.
The 23-year-old discovered a little-known preset button when she was filling up her car.
Filming the petrol pump, she explained: “How did I never know this existed?!
“If you click this button two times ten for £20. It will stop itself at exactly £20.
“Wow! That’s so cool.”
Protests in Scotland
Lorraine Napier, the Road Policing chief inspector, said in a widely reported statement that police were “aware of protests on motorways and trunk roads in Scotland on Monday”.
She added: “We urge all road users to drive within the speed limits and at an appropriate speed for the road conditions to encourage safe and responsible road use for all.
“Nevertheless, drivers should be aware that journey times could be longer than normal, especially on motorways and trunk roads, and make travel plans accordingly.
“Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation that puts our values of integrity, fairness, respect and a commitment to upholding human rights at the heart of everything we do. This means that we will protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest or counter-protest balanced against the rights of the wider community.”
'People's day-to-day lives should not be disrupted'
Gloucestershire Police said protests are likely to affect the A48, causing travel disruption in the Gloucester and Forest of Dean areas.
A Government spokesperson said: "While we respect the right to protest, people's day-to-day lives should not be disrupted, especially on busy motorways where lives are put at risk and resulting traffic delays will only add to fuel use.
"The new Public Order Bill will make it a criminal offence to glue yourself to a dangerous motorway, which sees police spending hours trying to safely remove people."
'Costing £300 in fuel to get to work'
Mobile welder Richard Dite said it is costing him over £300 in fuel to get to work every week due to the hikes.
The 44-year-old, from Maesteg, said: "My only option soon will be to put the welding gear in the shed and call it a day, maybe go on the dole.
"Face it at this rate I'll be on more that way."
Former HGV driver Vicky Stamper, 41, from Cwmbran, said she and her partner Darren had to leave jobs in Bristol because they could not afford the fuel any longer.
Ms Stamper said: "It was costing us £380 a week just to get to and from work."
Rishi will carefully consider calls for a 'more substantial' fuel duty cut
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said he will carefully consider calls for a "more substantial" fuel duty cut after the 5p per litre reduction implemented in March failed to halt price rises.
Figures from data firm Experian show the average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached a new high of 191.4p on Thursday, while diesel rose to 199.1p.
Devon and Cornwall Police have said 'drivers were given formal warnings' after protests
Devon and Cornwall Police have released a statement on protests in their area.
Superintendent Adrian Leisk said the motorway protest lasted for a few hours and ended around 11am.
He said: “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.
“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.”
Police statement following the Ferrybridge protest
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.”
Arrested M4 protesters targeted 'unfairly' by police, claim activists
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.
Activists running under banner Fuel Price Stand Against Tax
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.
While he said his organisation is not involved in the action, he is “fully supportive” of the demonstrations so long as they are conducted legally.
The protests are understood to be organised via social media under the banner Fuel Price Stand Against Tax.
How to find cheap supermarket petrol prices near you
Brands such as Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons look to tempt drivers to fill up as they shop.
They've even run promotions in the past to get shoppers to pick up the pumps - Morrisons offered customers 7p off every litre of fuel if they spent £40 in store, earlier this year.
But you don't have to drive around aimlessly looking for the cheapest deals - there are a range of websites and apps that will tell you nearby fuel prices based on where you live.
Fleet News and Allstar lets you to so you can see how your region compares to the UK average.
The app and website lets you check prices from more than 8,000 forecourts near you and using data provided by the public.
Comparison website also has a petrol prices checker that lets registered users find petrol prices within a five, 10 or 25mile radius.
What's going on with the motorway delays?
Demonstrators are targeting motorways across the UK today in demonstration over rising costs at the pumps.
Brits have been urged to work from home as roads are subject to 12 hours of traffic jams while activists call for a cut in fuel duty.
Groups hit parts of the M4 from 7am, with a convoy of around 20 vehicles seen at the Magor services near Caldicot, South Wales.
Petrol prices reached new high yesterday
The average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached a new high of 191.5p on Sunday, according to data firm Experian.
The average price of diesel was 199.0p per litre.
FairFuelUK founder on supporting fuel duty protesters
Mr Cox told the PA news agency: “I totally support their protest because people have reached the end of their tethers at the moment.”
He said other countries had cut fuel duty by more than the UK and asked “why the hell are we not doing it here?”
Mr Cox called for a cut of at least 20p, and warned that protests will continue if not.
He said: “There is an appetite (for such protest). If the Government don’t actually deliver on this, I think there’s going to be some serious escalation of protests.”
'No reason why average forecourt prices are still going up'
RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams added: “We can see absolutely no rhyme or reason why average forecourt prices are still going up, given that the wholesale price of both fuels has been falling for weeks.
“Drivers up and down the country have a right to know why they’re having to pay what they are for fuel, when the costs to retailers right now are so much less than they were a few weeks ago.”
Woman reveals ‘game-changing’ petrol station hack
A WOMAN has revealed a “game-changing” petrol station hack that make sure you never over-spend at the pump.
The UK's fuel prices have been on the rise due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has caused oil prices to soar.
Most of Europe relies on Russia's oil and gas reserves for its own supply, however leaders have pledged to ban oil imports to punish Moscow which has seen prices skyrocket due to an increased global demand.
The current average petrol price in the UK is £1.82 per litre, with the cost to fill up an average family car reaching £100 on Wednesday.
But a TikToker has found a hack which means Brits don’t overspend on fuel - just with a push of a button.
The 23-year-old discovered a little-known preset button when she was filling up her car.
Filming the petrol pump, she explained: "How did I never know this existed?!
"If you click this button two times ten for £20. It will stop itself at exactly £20.
"Wow! That's so cool."
Protests in Scotland
Lorraine Napier, the Road Policing chief inspector, said in a widely reported statement that police were “aware of protests on motorways and trunk roads in Scotland on Monday”.
She added: “We urge all road users to drive within the speed limits and at an appropriate speed for the road conditions to encourage safe and responsible road use for all.
“Nevertheless, drivers should be aware that journey times could be longer than normal, especially on motorways and trunk roads, and make travel plans accordingly.
“Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation that puts our values of integrity, fairness, respect and a commitment to upholding human rights at the heart of everything we do. This means that we will protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest or counter-protest balanced against the rights of the wider community.”
'People's day-to-day lives should not be disrupted'
Gloucestershire Police said protests are likely to affect the A48, causing travel disruption in the Gloucester and Forest of Dean areas.
A Government spokesperson said: "While we respect the right to protest, people's day-to-day lives should not be disrupted, especially on busy motorways where lives are put at risk and resulting traffic delays will only add to fuel use.
"The new Public Order Bill will make it a criminal offence to glue yourself to a dangerous motorway, which sees police spending hours trying to safely remove people."
Bristol Airport advised travellers to allow extra time
Bristol Airport also advised travellers to allow extra time for their journeys.
In a tweet, the airport said: "Please note that there is a planned fuel protest to block the River Severn Bridge crossings this Monday July 4 from 8.30am.
"The protest will likely affect the M5, M4 and the two crossings to Wales. Please allow extra time if travelling to or from the airport."
12-mile traffic jam
Fuel price protesters caused a 12-mile traffic jam on the A12 - which links Suffolk and Essex with London - during rush hour.
CSI Harding earlier said he would encourage drivers to reconsider their journey, working from home and avoiding the area where possible.
Latest update on A64 protest
Those protesting in the A64 area have left.
The 'go-slow' protest activity concluded earlier on today.
12 arrested on the M4
Tom Harding, the Gwent Police chief superintendent, has confirmed 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”.
'Costing £300 in fuel to get to work'
Mobile welder Richard Dite said it is costing him over £300 in fuel to get to work every week due to the hikes.
The 44-year-old, from Maesteg, said: "My only option soon will be to put the welding gear in the shed and call it a day, maybe go on the dole.
"Face it at this rate I'll be on more that way."
Former HGV driver Vicky Stamper, 41, from Cwmbran, said she and her partner Darren had to leave jobs in Bristol because they could not afford the fuel any longer.
Ms Stamper said: "It was costing us £380 a week just to get to and from work."
Rishi will carefully consider calls for a 'more substantial' fuel duty cut
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said he will carefully consider calls for a "more substantial" fuel duty cut after the 5p per litre reduction implemented in March failed to halt price rises.
Figures from data firm Experian show the average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached a new high of 191.4p on Thursday, while diesel rose to 199.1p.
What roads will be targeted?
Today's protests will clog mainly three-lane motorways and see slow-downs on two lanes, leaving the fast lane free, according to FairFuelUK founder Howard Cox.
While he said his organisation is not involved in the action, he is "fully supportive" of the demonstrations so long as they are conducted legally.
The protests are understood to be organised via social media under the banner Fuel Price Stand Against Tax.
What is happening today?
Demonstrators are targeting motorways across the UK today in demonstration over rising costs at the pumps.
Brits have been urged to work from home as roads are subject to 12 hours of traffic jams while activists call for a cut in fuel duty.
Groups hit parts of the M4 from 7am, with a convoy of around 20 vehicles seen at the Magor services near Caldicot, South Wales.
Organisers have also blocked the Prince of Wales Bridge crossing between England and Wales.