Protesters have said they plan to block the M4 and M48 bridges over the Severn in a campaign to draw attention to “ridiculous” fuel prices and the impact the hikes in cost are having on people’s lives. A spokesman for National Highways – formerly Highways England – confirmed the government agency was aware of the plans and will “work hard to limit the effects of the protests”, which are planned for July 4, on the bridges. Posts on social media calling for people to protest have been shared more than 1,000 times.
The protest is thought to have been organised by 21,000-strong Facebook community group Fuel Price Stand Against Tax, which is organising similar protests across Britain. Fuel prices have risen so high in recent days that a typical family car now costs £100 to fill up at a time when bills and food prices are also skyrocketing. Go here to read the truths and myths about how to make the fuel in your car go further.
One protester who says she will be in attendance at the bridges said something controversial needed to take place to bring attention to the issue. The plans are a source of debate across Facebook community groups with many accusing organisers and those wishing to attend of being irresponsible and dangerous.
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One commenter 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?”
A campaigner responded: “For one second I thought you were going to say you’d be supporting the action with your fleet. The point of this action is to show the government that we aren’t the little people that will sit there and do nothing.
“Something this big will be heard. It will make the news. I’m not happy to sit back and let the government think they can get away with this.”
John Ingram, National Highways’ network planner for resilience, said: “We respect people’s right to protest. However protesting on the strategic road network is extremely dangerous not just for the protesters but for people using the roads.”
A spokesman for the body added: "Along with the police and other partners we’ll be working hard to limit the effects of the protests on the Severn Bridges. We’ll be doing all we can to keep people up to date with the latest traffic information and to keep drivers on the move."
