COPS are warning motorists to expect "serious disruption"as protesters demonstrate over high fuel prices on Britain's motorways.
Roads in various parts of the country could be subject to traffic jams on Monday as protesters take action and call for a cut in fuel duty.
Brits have been urged to work from home as roads in various parts of the country are subject to 12 hours of traffic jams while activists call for a cut in fuel duty.
Protests are targeting mainly three-lane motorways and see slow-downs on two lanes, leaving the fast lane free, according to FairFuelUK founder Howard Cox.
While he said his organisation is not involved in the action, he is "fully supportive" of the demonstrations so long as they are conducted legally.
The protests are understood to be organised via social media under the banner Fuel Price Stand Against Tax.
Organizers are expected to block the Prince of Wales Bridge crossing between England and Wales, while disruption is also possible in Essex and Gloucestershire.
Read our fuel protests live blog for the latest info & travel updates…
- Joseph Gamp
Statement from Avon & Somerset Police
Avon and Somerset police tweeted: "A slow-moving rolling roadblock is under way on the M4.
"A number of vehicles will head east over the Prince of Wales Bridge and expected to exit the M4 at J22 (Pilning).
"There they plan to re-join westbound towards Wales.
"A similar protest from the England side is also expected."
- Joseph Gamp
Drivers doing 20mph creating huge tailbacks
Fuel protesters who were heading eastbound on the M4 turned around at exit 17 for Chippenham.
Drivers are currently doing around 20mph, causing huge tailbacks.
- Joseph Gamp
Fuel protestors bring M4 to standstill with rolling road blocks
Rolling roadblocks have brought parts of the M4 to a standstill as protesters target motorways in a demonstration over high fuel prices.
Campaigners focused on a stretch of motorway between Bristol and South Wales, including the Prince of Wales Severn bridge crossing, as part of action calling for a cut in fuel duty.
The protests are understood to have been organised via social media under the banner Fuel Price Stand Against Tax.
- Joseph Gamp
Pictured: Go slow convoy crosses bridge from England to Wales – with a police escort
Britain's motorways are facing severe disruption as a protest against the rising cost of petrol continues.
The image below shows a go-slow convoy driving across the Prince of Wales bridge during this morning’s rush hour.
The convoy was escorted by police across the busy bridge.
- Joseph Gamp
Former HGV driver had to quit job due to £380 weekly petrol bill
Former HGV driver Vicky Stamper, 41, from Cwmbran said she and her partner Darren had to leave jobs in Bristol because they could not afford the fuel any longer.
Ms Stamper said: "We had to leave those jobs because it was costing us £380 a week just to get to and from work.
"I then lost a job two weeks ago because the company couldn't afford to put fuel in that many lorries so, last in first out."
She said the situation had taken an emotional toll on her and her family.
Talking about the disruption that the protest will cause to drivers on the M4, Ms Stamper added: "We're doing this for us and for them. If they want to have a moan, they should join us instead."
Asked what she would ask Boris Johnson to do, she said: "Resign."
- Joseph Gamp
Both carriageways of M4 were COMPLETELY blocked off near Severn Bridge
For a few minutes both carriageways of the M4 approaching the M4 Prince of Wales Severn Bridge crossing were brought to a standstill by go-slow protests travelling east and west.
Two police motorcyclists rode in front of four vehicles travelling at around 30mph from the Bristol area towards South Wales.
There was a marked police patrol car behind the protestors, followed by dozens of queuing motorists.
A larger convoy of protestors drove over the Severn crossing heading into England from Wales with a large backlog of traffic following behind.
- Joseph Gamp
What the Government are saying about the protests
A Government spokesperson said: "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.
"The new Public Order Bill will make it a criminal offence to glue yourself to a dangerous motorway, which sees police spending hours trying to safely remove people."
- Joseph Gamp
Is Gloucestershire likely to be affected?
Gloucestershire Police said protests are likely to affect the A48, causing travel disruption in the Gloucester and Forest of Dean areas.
- Joseph Gamp
Essex Police say they are equipped to 'limit disruption'
Essex Police Chief Inspector Anna Granger said her officers "are experienced at dealing with incidents which cause significant disruption".
She said: "We will be monitoring the situation closely and have a policing operation in place to limit disruption."
- Joseph Gamp
Bristol Airport warns travellers to allow extra time for journeys
Bristol Airport advised travellers to allow extra time for their journeys.
In a tweet, the airport said: "Please note that there is a planned fuel protest to block the River Severn Bridge crossings this Monday July 4 from 8.30am.
"The protest will likely affect the M5, M4 and the two crossings to Wales. Please allow extra time if travelling to or from the airport."
- Joseph Gamp
Gwent police warning over protests
Gwent Police said protests are expected to take place on the road network between 7am and 7pm on Monday.
They said organisers had indicated an intention to block the Prince of Wales Bridge, with the protest starting on the M4 at Magor services, junction 23A eastbound, and junction 20 of the M4 westbound.
Chief Superintendent Tom Harding said he would encourage drivers to reconsider their journey, consider working from home and avoid the area where possible.
- Joseph Gamp
FairFuelUK founder on supporting fuel duty protesters
Mr Cox told the PA news agency: "I totally support their protest because people have reached the end of their tethers at the moment."
He said other countries had cut fuel duty by more than the UK and asked "why the hell are we not doing it here?"
Mr Cox called for a cut of at least 20p, and warned that protests will continue if not.
He said: "There is an appetite (for such protest). If the Government don't actually deliver on this, I think there's going to be some serious escalation of protests."
- Joseph Gamp
Protests organisers expected to block Prince of Wales bridge
Organisers are expected to block the Prince of Wales Bridge crossing between England and Wales.
They say disruption is also possible in Essex and Gloucestershire.
- Joseph Gamp
Activists running under banner Fuel Price Stand Against Tax
Protests will target mainly three-lane motorways and see slow-downs on two lanes, leaving the fast lane free, according to FairFuelUK founder Howard Cox.
While he said his organisation is not involved in the action, he is "fully supportive" of the demonstrations so long as they are conducted legally.
The protests are understood to be organised via social media under the banner Fuel Price Stand Against Tax.
- Joseph Gamp
'Serious disruption throughout the day'
Police have warned of "serious disruption throughout the day" as protesters target motorways in a demonstration over high fuel prices.
Roads in various parts of the country could be subject to traffic jams on Monday as protesters take action and call for a cut in fuel duty.
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