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Drivers to stage petrol protests Drivers to stage petrol protests
(about 2 hours later)
Farmers and lorry drivers are set to take part in protests across the UK against the rising cost of fuel.Farmers and lorry drivers are set to take part in protests across the UK against the rising cost of fuel.
The day of action comes after fuel prices on garage forecourts rose above the £1 per litre mark in recent weeks.The day of action comes after fuel prices on garage forecourts rose above the £1 per litre mark in recent weeks.
A Road Haulage Association convoy of about 30 vehicles is also due to create a rolling blockade on major roads in Scotland from 1000 GMT on Saturday.A Road Haulage Association convoy of about 30 vehicles is also due to create a rolling blockade on major roads in Scotland from 1000 GMT on Saturday.
The government has warned unlawful blockades should not be tolerated. Police plan to monitor the situation.The government has warned unlawful blockades should not be tolerated. Police plan to monitor the situation.
RebatesRebates
Peaceful demonstrations by a group calling itself Transaction 2007 are planned outside oil refineries at Stanlow (Ellesmere Port, Cheshire), Fawley (Southampton), Jarrow (Tyne and Wear), Purfleet (Essex), Cardiff, Immingham (North East Lincolnshire), and Grangemouth (Falkirk).Peaceful demonstrations by a group calling itself Transaction 2007 are planned outside oil refineries at Stanlow (Ellesmere Port, Cheshire), Fawley (Southampton), Jarrow (Tyne and Wear), Purfleet (Essex), Cardiff, Immingham (North East Lincolnshire), and Grangemouth (Falkirk).
These are also due to start at 1000 GMT.These are also due to start at 1000 GMT.
Transaction 2007, which says it represents hauliers, farmers and motorists, is calling for rebates on the price of fuel for hauliers, farmers and essential road-users and a reduction in the level of tax on fuel.Transaction 2007, which says it represents hauliers, farmers and motorists, is calling for rebates on the price of fuel for hauliers, farmers and essential road-users and a reduction in the level of tax on fuel.
Any disruption to fuel supply would cause a great deal of inconvenience to people Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Why have prices risen?Any disruption to fuel supply would cause a great deal of inconvenience to people Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Why have prices risen?
It also wants extra duties to be imposed on non-UK lorries that come into the country on business.It also wants extra duties to be imposed on non-UK lorries that come into the country on business.
The organisation's website urges those taking part in its protests to act within the law. The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform said the situation was being monitored and plans were in place to "mitigate any future fuel supply disruptions".
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform said the situation was being monitored by the government, police and the road transport industry and that contingency plans were in place to cover "a range of eventualities".
A statement from the department read: "Any disruption to fuel supply would cause a great deal of inconvenience to people.A statement from the department read: "Any disruption to fuel supply would cause a great deal of inconvenience to people.
"Planning to mitigate the effect of possible future fuel supply disruptions, through our contingency plans, is a prudent course of action for any responsible government." A blockade of oil refineries in 2000 brought the country to a standstill and forced the government to cut tax on petrol.
A strategic blockade of oil refineries in 2000 brought the country to a standstill and forced the Government to cut tax on petrol. Green solutions
'Freeze duty' A coalition of leading environmentalists says any shift in government policy should be about creating alternatives to the roads rather than making it cheaper to drive by cutting fuel taxes.
"If the government is serious about tackling climate change it must not cave in to pressure to make road travel even cheaper," said Tony Bosworth, of Friends of the Earth.
"Instead it should force car manufacturers to make more fuel-efficient vehicles and invest in getting people and freight off our roads and onto cleaner alternatives instead."
WWF-UK's Peter Lockley said making road travel more affordable for all is not in the best interest of road hauliers or the environment.
"Investment in public transport would ease congestion on UK roads, which in turn would cut fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions for hauliers," he said.
Tax freeze
Saturday's convoy protest in Scotland is being organised by the Scottish branch of the Road Haulage Association (RHA).Saturday's convoy protest in Scotland is being organised by the Scottish branch of the Road Haulage Association (RHA).
The RHA representing hauliers in the rest of the UK stresses that it is not connected to the Transaction 2007 refinery protests.The RHA representing hauliers in the rest of the UK stresses that it is not connected to the Transaction 2007 refinery protests.
Lorry drivers are calling for the government to introduce a fuel price regulator, which would freeze fuel duty while the price of oil remains volatile.Lorry drivers are calling for the government to introduce a fuel price regulator, which would freeze fuel duty while the price of oil remains volatile.
They are also unhappy about a 2p increase in fuel duty introduced in October.They are also unhappy about a 2p increase in fuel duty introduced in October.
Philip Flanders, of the Road Haulage Association in Scotland, said the convoy would set out from Hamilton Services at 1000 GMT, moving eastwards towards Stirling along the M74, the M8, then M9.Philip Flanders, of the Road Haulage Association in Scotland, said the convoy would set out from Hamilton Services at 1000 GMT, moving eastwards towards Stirling along the M74, the M8, then M9.
The trucks will pass the Ineos plant at Grangemouth before joining the A80 and heading south.The trucks will pass the Ineos plant at Grangemouth before joining the A80 and heading south.
Fuel prices have risen well over £1 per litre, with petrol prices at one west London garage reaching £1.28, giving Britain the highest diesel prices in Europe and the fourth highest petrol prices, according to the AA.
But, unlike in 2000 when major fuel protests brought much of Britain to a standstill, the price rises have been caused largely by rising oil prices rather than an increase in taxation.
Duty rises over the last decade add up to 25% - less than the rate of inflation. But oil prices have gone up 270% in the same period.Duty rises over the last decade add up to 25% - less than the rate of inflation. But oil prices have gone up 270% in the same period.
The Campaign for Better Transport claims the cost of motoring overall has fallen in real terms over the last decade, while the cost of public transport has risen.