BBC

Saturday, 24 February, 2001, 17:02 GMT Fuel protesters renew action

Protesters driving in convoy allong the M4 to Swansea Protesters were on the the roads in west Wales again on Saturday as part of a renewed campaign aginst the price of fuel.

A hundred and twenty lorries, buses, tractors and taxis joined the go-slow protest which started off from Cross Hands in Carmarthenshire on Saturday morning before setting off along the M4 for Swansea city centre.

Later the convoy returned along the motorway to Carmarthen - where hundreds of shoppers lined the streets to applaud the drivers.

The protest has been prompted by anger over Shell's decision to raise the price of unleaded petrol by a penny a litre.

Hauliers have warned that Saturday's demonstration could be the first of many as they renew their call for cheaper fuel ahead of next month's Budget.

They have not ruled out a return to the countrywide protests last September when the nation was brought to a virtual standstill as forecourts ran dry.

Co-organiser Mark Greene said the response to Saturday's action was fantastic.

"People were lining the streets in support of us."

"The protest was peaceful and we felt we made our point."

"It showed how strongly people still feel about high fuel prices," said Mr Greene.

"This is just the start of it. We cannot rule out a return to last year's protests but we will have to wait for the Budget."

The campaigners want the Government to cut the price of diesel by 15p a litre.

Demonstrations were also due to take place in Milton Keynes, Penrith and Carlisle in Cumbria.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), February 24, 2001

Answers

I was wondering what happened to the news from the UK. Looks like the UK has an entrenched do nothing bureaucracy much like the US.

-- David Williams (DAVIDWILL@prodigy.net), February 25, 2001.

More like a do nothing and throw folks in jail for daring to speak out.

That is why we need to protect our rights! The few we have remaining.

-- (perry@ofuzzy1.com), February 25, 2001.