Fuel protests are expected to block motorways serving a major English city on Monday morning (July 4) as motorists are warned to plan ahead. The disruption is likely to affect parts of the M5 near Bristol as well as the M4 Severn Bridge linking England and Wales in both directions.
Other roads that could be affected before, during and after the morning rush hour are stretches of the M4 and M32 with police saying there could be major disruption, BristolLive reports. Petrol costs have soared to record highs and it now costs on average more than £100 to fill up a family car.
Superintendent Paul Wiggington said: "Working alongside Gwent Police, we are engaging with the various organisers of these protests. People have a right to peaceful protest and liaison teams from both Gwent and Avon and Somerset have been working to understand campaigners' plans so public safety is maintained and to reduce disruption to others.
"Nevertheless, drivers can expect journey times will likely be longer than normal, especially on motorways and main roads during the busiest times of the day. We advise motorists to consider any alternative travel plans available and ensure they are suitably prepared in case they are delayed."
Police say that a slow-moving roadblock is also planned on the M5 between Bridgwater and the Almondsbury Interchange from around 8:30am, which is likely to head east towards Bristol via the M4 and M32. From there, there is a possibility the same protest could be carried out along the same route towards Somerset.
The planned protests are:
- M4 Severn Bridge – in both directions from approximately 7am.
- M5/M4/M32 – northbound from Bridgwater at about 8.30am, before impacting on the M4 eastbound and M32 inbound.
- Shepton Mallet – potential protest at Tesco forecourt from approximately 10.30am.
It is expected that the protests may also have knock-on effects on other roads, as drivers seek alternative routes.
More than 80,000 vehicles use the Severn Bridge - the M48 - to cross between Wales and England each day. A further 65,000 or so vehicles use the Second Severn Crossing - officially called Prince of Wales Bridge - as they journey on the M4 between the two nations.
Speaking to Wales Online, , one protester previously said: "I work for a local haulage company. We use approximately 30,000 litres of diesel every fortnight so I fully understand the cost of fuel at this time. However action such as this may highlight the issue to government but it will not impact them in the slightest.
"It will impact on the supply chain affecting local businesses and local people as deliveries to shops won’t be made and people won’t be able to get to work. If you want to make a point why not bring Westminster to gridlock?"
Gar Baker wrote on Bristol Live's Facebook page: "Anyone that doesn’t feel that something needs to be done is clearly not financially affected by it but for the majority of the country and small businesses that are struggling this can’t come soon enough. Nearly 50% of the cost of a litre of fuel is now tax which is unacceptable."
