Fuel cost protests to bring travel chaos on roads
Demonstrations are expected "nationwide", including in Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, London and Manchester
Last updated 22nd Jul 2022
Fuel price protests are set to make traffic jams even worse, during what is expected to be the busiest summer getaway in at least eight years.
An image posted on Facebook group Fuel Price Stand Against Tax suggests demonstrations will be held "nationwide", including in Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, London and Manchester.
Avon and Somerset Police warned motorists that "slow-moving roadblocks" are planned on parts of the M4, M5, M32 and A38 this morning.
With most schools in England and Wales breaking up for Summer, the RAC says an estimated 18.8 million leisure trips are planned in the UK between today and Monday.
That is the highest number since the company began tracking summer getaway numbers in 2014.
Superintendent Tony Blatchford, of Avon and Somerset Police, urged drivers to consider "alternative travel plans" due to the pump price protests.
He said: "Our protest liaison team has been engaging with the organiser so we can inform the public of the likely disruption and help to minimise it.
"Nevertheless, drivers can expect journey times will likely be longer than normal, especially on motorways, which often tend to be at their busiest at this time of year.
"We advise motorists to consider any alternative travel plans available and ensure they are suitably prepared in case they are delayed."
Fuel price protests on July 4 led to 12 people being arrested on the M4.©©
The first stage of today's action in the South West will see vehicles travel north on the M5 between Bridgwater and the Almondsbury Interchange from about 8.45am, then east along the M4 and to Junction 1 of the M32.
The convoy is expected to leave the motorway and stop "for a period of time" before completing the same route in reverse, arriving back in Bridgwater "in the early afternoon", police said.
A second group of protesters is planning to drive slowly to the Shell petrol station in Bristol Road, Bridgwater.
"They are expected to block the forecourt during the morning," according to police.
Figures from data company Experian show the average price of a litre of petrol on Wednesday was 187.5p, while diesel was 196.1p.
Transport analytics company, Inrix, believes the M25 - London's orbital motorway - could see some of the worst jams due to the summer getaway, singling out the stretches between Bromley and the Dartford Crossing; Maple Cross and the M3; and the M23 to the M40.
The A303 near Stonehenge, Wiltshire, the M4 between Cardiff and Newport in south Wales, and the M5 south of Bristol are also likely to see queuing traffic.
Climate protesters caused major disruption on Wednesday by climbing onto signs above the M25.
There are also likely to be long queues at the Port of Dover again today.
Travellers were forced to queue for up to three hours yesterday, to complete border control and check-in.
Yesterday afternoon, a spokesman for the port said: "As a result of high demand and earlier capacity issues at the border, the port system is working hard to catch up and to get everyone through as quickly as possible.
"Passengers will be placed on the first available sailing and will be away on their holidays shortly."
The cost of living crisis is affecting many:
Interest rates and inflation go up
Inflation rose by 8.8% in the 12 months to January 2023, down from 9.2% in December 2022. With interest rates also rising to 4%, those saving money will earn more interest on their finances, whilst those paying mortgages would pay more interest to the bank.
Energy bills
The price of energy went up incredibly as the cost of living crisis hit, with the gas price spike caused largely by the war in Ukraine. The price cap - which is set by an independent regulator to help offset costs onto customers - was set to rise to £3,549 for an average home in October but a price freeze from the government restricted the typical bill to £2,500. That's still an increase of 27% from the previous energy cap and as it's a cap on unit cost, the more energy you use the higher your bill will be.
Food prices
The cost of a weekly shop also has gone up as a result of the cost of living crisis. As a result of the war in Ukraine, a number of products including cooking oils and wheat have been disrupted. This means that several products are now considerably more expensive, driving bills up for customers.
Prices at the pumps
The average cost of petrol has also rose to unprecedented levels. Supply lines for petrol have been thrown into doubt as a result of the war in Ukraine, as Russia is a large export partner for gas, oil and fuel. In April 2022, the average price for a litre of petrol on the forecourt was 160.2p, whilst a litre of diesel would cost 170.5p. By late June 2022 the price had risen to an average of 190.9p for a litre of unleaded and 198.9p for a litre of diesel. In March 2023 the price wass on average of 147.03 in petrol and 167.04 in diesel.
Average cost of filling up a car with petrol hits £100
On 9th June 2022, the average cost of filling up a car with petrol hit £100 for the first time ever. Diesel had already hit that milestone. It comes as the cost of fuel hit a record high of one pound eighty a litre. The 2p rise was the biggest daily jump in 17 years. Prices have dropped by at least 20p per litre since the high point.