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Drivers stage fuel price protests Slow start to fuel price protests
(about 2 hours later)
Farmers and lorry drivers are taking part in protests across the UK against the rising cost of fuel. Protests against the rising cost of fuel got off to a slow start as small pockets of demonstrators gathered at oil refineries across the UK.
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 45 vehicles is also creating a rolling blockade on roads in Scotland.
Early reports suggest the number of protesters is smaller than anticipated. Police are monitoring the situation. According to reports, the number of protesters in many parts of the country was lower than anticipated.
The government has warned unlawful blockades should not be tolerated.The government has warned unlawful blockades should not be tolerated.
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 were 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).
According to initial reports, protests in Grangemouth, Cheshire, Immingham, Jarrow and Fawley are small. Around eight protesters gathered at Chester Services, on the M56, before moving to a protest point at the gates of the Ellesmere Port refinery, but the demonstration was later abandoned.
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. Around 25 fuel price protesters arrived at the giant Fawley refinery in Southampton, but at Grangemouth no demonstrators turned up.
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?
There were also some eight protesters at Jarrow - all on foot.
Protester Rob Muir, a 42-year-old farmer from Wolsingham, Co Durham, was disappointed more people had not joined the demonstration.
He said: "We just roll over and take it in this country.
"If this was France it would be a different story. There are eight of us here and I thought there would be a lot more than that."
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.
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 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 and plans were in place to "mitigate any future fuel supply disruptions".
A statement from the department read: "Any disruption to fuel supply would cause a great deal of inconvenience to people.
A blockade of oil refineries in 2000 brought the country to a standstill and forced the government to cut tax on petrol.A blockade of oil refineries in 2000 brought the country to a standstill and forced the government to cut tax on petrol.
Green solutionsGreen solutions
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.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."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.""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.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."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 freezeTax 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, and are unhappy about October's 2p increase in fuel duty.
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 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.
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.