Government prepares for blockades as rebel protesters promise a 'new wave of militancy' over soaring fuel costs

 

Last updated at 17:27pm on 10th December 2007 Comments

Britain's roads could be be brought to a standstill as early as Wednesday by crippling fuel protests, similar to those that caused mass disruption in 2000.

 

The demonstration against soaring fuel prices could come just weeks of secret talks between angry hauliers, farmers and disgruntled motorists.

 

One farmer is reported to have addressed Prime Minister Gordon Brown at a recent CBI meeting and directly warned the Government to expect widespread protests.

 

A group of rebel lorry drivers is believed to be fronting a massive campaign in protest at rising prices that have seen petrol soar through the one pound a litre barrier.

The authorities are now said to be preparing contingency plans if drivers try to blockade fuel deports as they did successfully in 2000 when the country was almost brought to standstill as the pumps ran dry.

In recent weeks a group calling itself Transaction 2007 has been holding discreet meetings across the country with interested groups with a few to taking a mass day of action this week.

Spokesman Chris Hunter said: "This will be a numbers game levied against legislation - but we are not willing to disclose any more details at this stage."

 

Scroll down for more

Protest: Lorry drivers say they planning a massive campaign to protest soaring petrol prices

 

The group insists its actions will be legal but has not ruled out organising strategic blockades to disrupt the nation's road transport system.

Motorists' anger at the continuing rise in fuel prices - diesel is now as much as 1 20p a litre - has seen almost 100,000 vote against a further due rise in petrol tax in an on-line petition.

 

Last month Prime Minister Gordon Brown was given a stark warning that the Government should brace itself for another wave of protests.

Farmer Bernard Howard told the Prime Minister face-to-face at the CBI conference in London: "There is a new wave of militancy - the high fuel prices are a disaster for the country."

But one hauliers group was quick to distance itself from the threat of a any direct action or staged go-slow on major roads by truckers.

The Road Haulage Association said: "We have been linked with Transaction 2007 implying there a relationship between us - but that it not the case."

"We have never been in discussions with them but we have talked to our members who are also part of the pressure group. An we will always support members who wish to protest legally but we do not agree with Transaction 2007 that legal and peaceful protests would produce no results."

In 2000 the Government was forced to bring in the Amry to get fuel out of refineries and depots after tanker drivers joined a nationwide protest.

Many garages were forced to ration supplies to customers or ran out altogether and the country came within days of grinding to halt.

Fuel protesters to target oil depots in re-run of demo which rocked government in 2000

 

By RAY MASSEY - More by this author » Last updated at 22:46pm on 10th December 2007 Comments (6)

Fuel protesters yesterday announced "a new wave of militancy", threatening action at key oil facilities nationwide. Hauliers and farmers, who are incensed over the Government's crippling fuel tax hikes, plan to target refineries and terminals across Britain on Saturday.

They are hoping to recreate the fuel protests which rocked the Government seven years ago.

Organisers insisted it would be a "legal" demonstration, but some hardliners said they could not rule out blockades.

A splinter group is also planning to target Gordon Brown tomorrow by disrupting his trip to the House of Commons for Prime Minister's Questions.

They have suggested staging a juggernaut "go-slow" around Parliament Square at noon with about 20 slow-moving trucks.

Any threat to strategic oil supplies at terminals such as Graingemouth in Scotland will be met with far tougher action from the Government - potentially including use of anti-terror laws and the military.

Ministers were caught off-guard by the 2000 protest when the pumps ran dry and the country was almost brought to standstill.

They are dusting down emergency plans which include impounding lorries, as well prices rise well past the £1 a litre barrier.

A spokesman for militant motoring group MAD, who styles himself Captain Gatso, said his group was committed to disrupting Mr Brown's journey to Parliament.

Scroll down for more...

Protest: Lorry drivers say they planning a massive campaign to protest soaring petrol prices

 

 

 

"The aim is to gridlock his chauffeur-driven car and force him to walk to Prime Minister's Question time in the House of Commons," he said.

Mainstream motoring groups said the protest threats would send an early "warning shot" to Mr Brown of the backlash he could face if he pressed ahead with plans to impose the second of three planned fuel tax rises next Spring.

RAC Foundation executive director Edmund King said: "The real crunch will come if the Government stands by its pledge to impose another 2p a litre rise in duty next Spring.

"It would be beyond the pale. These current protests are a shot across the Government's bows - a warning shot."

Unleaded petrol now averages £1.03p a litre - of which 66p is tax which goes to the Treasury. Diesel is £1.08p.

Finally :D

 

You know what I'm doing at the weekend :)