Two motorists on a busy Edinburgh bypass were pulled up by police after trying to stage a protest by slowing down traffic to a 'snail's pace' on Monday morning. Officers raced to the section of road at Newbridge, just outside Edinburgh, where two drivers were cautioned.
Protests have taken place over the UK on Monday morning, July 4, in an attempt to get a message across regarding rising fuel costs. Commuters on the M8 were affected by the hold-up before police intervened.
The Record reports how the two motorists were attempting to completely slow down drivers around 7.30am, creating a 'go slow' zone on both the M8 and A92. This comes after Fair FuelUK warned of possible action against the sharp increase in fuel costs.
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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.”
Elsewhere, 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."
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