Two motorists have been scolded by cops after protests for cheaper fuel took place on Scots motorways this morning. Commuters came to a standstill at 7.30am as activists enforced a 'go slow' zone on the M8 and A92.
Campaigners were reported to have been driving at a 'snail's pace' as the demonstrations unfolded during peak time. It comes as FairFuelUK warned action would take place on strips of road across the country in their campaign against rising fuel costs.
One diver in Aberdeenshire wrote online: "I’ve just passed that area and it’s being caused by two tractors, one in each lane, going slow to protest the fuel crisis. Traffic is crawling for several miles behind them."
Transport bosses described the protests as 'police incidents' as they warned motorists of the chaos this morning. A Tweet from Traffic Scotland reads: "Traffic slowing on the A92 Northbound just prior to Charleston Junction due to a police incident. Delays back from Portlethen."
Several protests took place on major UK roads including in Yorkshire, M54, Essex, M5, A63, and on the M180. Howard Cox, the founder of the FairFuelUK campaign, described rising pump prices as "sickening chronic manipulation" on UK citizens.
He said: "These are not just demonstrations against the record excruciatingly high petrol and diesel prices that rise each and every day. They are also about the sickening chronic manipulation of pump prices and the complete lack of scrutiny by our out-of-touch Government, in allowing unchecked petrol and diesel profiteering to run rife.
"And at the same time, this allegedly self-proclaiming low taxation Conservative Government is wallowing in £3billion of extra VAT in just the last year alone. All due to these record unaffordable prices.
“They continue to be in denial, a state of torpor and seem clueless in reducing the pain of the crippling cost of living crisis. With UK petrol prices currently 20p more than the average across 35 European countries and diesel 25p more, Rishi Sunak must cut Fuel Duty by at least 20p and introduce PumpWatch before the economy is ruined even more."
Officers from Police Scotland 's Road Policing division confirmed that two cars - an Audi and a BMW - were stopped by officers during the M8 protest near Newbridge in Edinburgh.
Road Policing Chief Inspector Lorraine Napier said: “We are aware of protests on motorways and trunk roads in Scotland on Monday, 4 July. We urge all road users to drive within the speed limits and at an appropriate speed for the road conditions to encourage safe and responsible road use for all.
“Nevertheless, drivers should be aware that journey times could be longer than normal, especially on motorways and trunk roads, and make travel plans accordingly.
"Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation that puts our values of integrity, fairness, respect and a commitment to upholding human rights at the heart of everything we do. This means that we will protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest or counter-protest balanced against the rights of the wider community.”
“Around 8am, two cars, an Audi and a BMW, were stopped by officers on the M8 near Newbridge, Edinburgh. The drivers were warned regarding their anti-social behaviour.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “We understand that people are struggling with rising prices which is why we have made the biggest cut ever on all fuel duty rates, saving the average UK car driver around £100, van driver around £200 and haulier over £1,500.
"While we respect the right to protest, people’s day-to-day lives should not be disrupted, especially on busy motorways where lives are put at risk and resulting traffic delays will only add to fuel use. That's why we're strengthening the integrity of our transport networks through our Public Order Bill, making it a criminal offence to interfere with the use or operation of key national infrastructure like motorways."
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