Fuel Price Protest Hits Motorists

Rush hour motorists will face headaches today as motorcyclists stage a 'go-slow' protest at soaring fuel prices.

Hundreds of motorcyclists congregated at Birch services between junctions 18 and 19 on the M62 before riding en masse in Manchester city centre.

The demonstration has been organised by motorcycling clubs in Greater Manchester although some lorry drivers and taxi drivers are also taking part.

Crisis talks between the Highways Agency, police and the protest leaders diffused and word of mouth made the demo impossible to stop.

It is estimated that between 400 and 500 bikers are taking part.

The Highways Agency has warned motorists to find alternative routes as rolling road-blocks could be put in force.

The protesters route will go from the M60 to the M602 and on to Salford.

Traffic police will try to curb the disruption from the demo.

Fuel tax in the UK has risen steadily in the last fifteen years. Between 1993 and 1999 there was a rapid increase with duties on fuel increasing 3% above inflation.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been warned by Labour backbenchers not to go ahead with a planned 2p increase in fuel duty this autumn.

At a Downing Street press conference with Japanese Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Mr Brown said fuel prices would be one of the top subjects at the G8 summit in Japan.

"We agreed it was important for G8 members to press oil-producing nations to do all they can to increase oil production and investment to improve future supply.

"We agreed on the need for genuine diversification of our energy supply to move way from dependence on carbon fuels, including through investment in nuclear power.

"We talked about measures to improve energy efficiency and therefore to cut demand," said the PM.

According to AA figures, around half of every £1.15 of petrol is made up of tax and VAT.

(DS)