Motorists have been warned of traffic chaos on motorways around Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire today (Friday, July 22) as protesters stage roadblocks on key routes. They will target the M5, M4, M32 and A38 on what could be the busiest summer getaway in eight years.
It comes after a series of roadblocks earlier this month in protest of rising fuel costs, although it is not yet clear if the same group is behind tomorrow's action. It coincides with what the RAC expects to be the busiest summer weekend on the roads since it began records in 2014, as many schools break up for the holidays.
It has termed today 'Frantic Friday' and estimates an extra 5.61m car journeys will take place between then and Sunday. Avon and Somerset Police has urged motorists to plan ahead, and officers advise that a Shell garage could also be blocked off by the group.
Read more: Live updates as fuel protesters block M5 and M4
In a statement issued this morning, a force spokesperson said: "A protest on parts of the M4, M5, M32 and A38 is planned for Friday 22 July. Motorists are advised to plan ahead with slow-moving roadblocks planned."
Where and when are the protests?
According to police:
- The first protest will see vehicles travel northbound on the M5 between Bridgwater and the Almondsbury Interchange from about 8.45am, then head east along the M4 and to junction 1 of the M32. There the convoy is expected to exit, stop for a period of time, before conducting the same route in the opposite direction, arriving back in Bridgwater in the early afternoon
- A second protest group is due to set off at 8.45am from the same location and carry out a slow-moving protest to the Bristol Road Shell garage. They are expected to block the forecourt during the morning, police say.
Superintendent Tony Blatchford 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 consider any alternative travel plans available and ensure they are suitably prepared in case they are delayed.”
It comes after protests on July 4 which was advertised by a group of campaigners on Facebook under the banner 'Fuel Price Stand Against Tax', who staged a 'go-slow' convoy against the rising costs of fuel. They targeted the M4, M5 and M32 motorways, crossing the Prince of Wales bridge over the River Severn as part of a number of rolling blockades held nationally.
Campaigners headed for the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge at about 7.30am, and later in the morning police closed the bridge with drivers instead diverted via the M48 Severn Bridge. Later in the morning a separate group of protesters set off from Bridgwater along the M5, honking their horns as the slow-moving traffic made its way towards the Almondsbury Interchange.
They moved on to the M4 and then the M32. On the westbound carriageway near the Prince of Wales crossing later in the protest, uniformed police officers arrested some drivers on suspicion of driving slower than the agreed 30mph speed limit.
Police did not specify which group is behind tomorrow's protest.
Read next:
