Fuel protests

Over the past ten years various groups of commercial vehicle operators - mainly hauliers and farmers - have threatened direct action in protest at high levels of fuel duty in the UK.

The groups in question include organisations such as Transaction 2007 and websites such as Fuelprotest.com.

The latest fuel protests (December 2007)

Protests "get off to slow start"

Protests have taken place across the country, but they have remained at a small scale. According to a BBC story, "Protests against the rising cost of fuel got off to a slow start as small pockets of demonstrators gathered at oil refineries across the UK."

In Scotland, the RHA planned a rolling protest of trucks along major roads, but this does not seem to have caused problems.

What the forums are saying:

TruckNet UK

Truckers' World

The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (12/12/07)

The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) - an organisation of independent fuel stations - has condemned the idea of fuel protests, calling them "futile". In a press release on Thursday, they said:

As an organisation, the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) would welcome a reduction in the duty on fuel, but we do not support any form of blockade as a way to bring this about.  We would urge the public not to be dragged into a situation of panic-buying as a consequence of these protest threats as this would cause more problems than any blockade itself.

The Italian fuel protests

Massive fuel protests in Italy this week have caused substantial problems for industry and the public, and have ended with the Italian government giving major concessions on fuel prices, foreign competition and haulage contracts. It remains to be seen whether this will encourage more UK operators to become involved in this weekend's events.

Statement from Transaction 2007, at 10:15am on 10th December 2007:

Transaction2007 have decided to release the date and time of protest action earlier than scheduled. This is to enable the motorist and public to better prepare themselves for the coming action.

A date of Saturday 15th December 2007 at 10:00am has been decided for protest action. This date was decided by members as the best possible to enable those who would normally be working during the week to attend. This action will be initiated at a refinery or storage depot somewhere near you. Anyone wishing to support action is requested to make your way there at the allotted time. Transaction again wish to emphasise the importance of legal protesting.

Response from Transaction 2007 (7/12/07):

Pressure group Transaction 2007 is declining to comment on the outcome of a meeting of hauliers and farmers in the North-East last night to discuss the fuel duty hikes and the prospect of protest action.

Founder Mike Presneill says: “All updates will now come from the Transaction 2007 website”. He also declined to say anything about the recent statement released by the Road Haulage Association denouncing any relationship with Transaction 2007.

The Traffic Commissioners' view (6/12/07):

Operators who do anything illegal while protesting against fuel prices can expect to answer to their TC, Senior Traffic Commissioner Philip Brown has told Commercial Motor. He says that illegality will be brought to the TCs’ attention by the enforcement authorities. His predecessor issued a statement during the September 2000 protests that operators illegally blockading refineries risked losing their operator’s licences.

The Road Haulage Association has said concern for their O-licences is a major disincentive for many of its members to protest.

The Government view (6/12/07):

A spokesman for the Cabinet Office, which would co-ordinate any official response, says: “Nothing has happened, there are no pickets taking place.

“We wouldn’t discuss a hypothetical situation and there is nothing much more we can do.

“We have plans to cope with a wide range of emergencies, and lessons have been learned from what happened in 2000.”