FUEL protesters set out to bring Manchester to a standstill today - as calls for curbs on soaring petrol prices reached a new high.
A convoy of bikers, motorists and hauliers were due to pour into the city centre in a convoy expected to leave Birch services on the M62 at 8am.
Police last night held talks with the protest leaders in a last ditch bid to steer them away from the inner ring road and minimise the rush-hour chaos.
The Highways Agency warned motorists to find alternative routes and warned rolling road-blocks could be put in force.
The news came as Labour backbenchers joined a chorus of voices warning Gordon Brown not to go ahead with a planned 2p increase in fuel duty this autumn.
Graham Stringer, MP for Manchester Blackley, said: "The government has not reacted quickly enough to the pressures on the household budgets. The 2p increase is an example of that and we need to take action." The protesters are call- ing on the government to remove the VAT that is levied on British fuel - the most costly in Europe.
Figures
AA figures suggest only 48p on every £1.15 litre of petrol is made up of production, delivery and retail margin. A further 50p is fuel duty and a further 17p is VAT.
That makes a total of 67p in tax - compared to the equivalent of 35p in Ireland and 31p in Spain.
One of the protest organisers, a biker known only as `Maverick', said: "We have had a huge amount of support.
"We don't want to create a jam but it is time for action and our message to people is: `enjoy it'."
There was some slight relief for motorists as pump prices appeared to be levelling off after a 3p cut in the retail price by producers. The average cost of a litre of petrol stood at 116.42p yesterday - revealing a smaller price rise than in recent weeks.
That appears to reflect a strengthening of the US dollar which analysts hope will persuade speculators to stop trading in petrol and return to their usual hunting ground of currencies.
The speculators have been blamed for increasing costs at the pump by disrupting the link between the amount petrol costs to produce and how much people pay at the pump.
The government has announced moves to increase North Sea oil production but has admitted that will not protect British motorists from global price fluctuations.
'Far too high'
An AA spokesman said it was too early to say if pump prices would level off and said they remained `far too high'.
"It would be crazy for the government to go ahead with the planned 2p increase in fuel duty when prices are as high as they are," he said.
That call was echoed last night by the Greater Manchester Chamber, which said it "understood the frustration" which sparked today's planned protest.
Richard Critchley, the chamber's policy manager for transport, environment and planning, said: "The rising cost of fuel is having a big impact on commuters and businesses alike.
"We therefore understand the frustration that has sparked this protest.
"However we do not believe that such a demonstration is the best way to influence government policy. Instead it will cause disruption to ordinary commuters who are just trying to get to work.
"We have emailed our members to warn them to allow extra time for their journeys.
"As a chamber we are lobbying the government to scrap the 2p rise in fuel duty scheduled for October. The Treasury has already received £505m in tax since April 1st due to the rising price of oil, which is the same amount as would be raised by the proposed 2p rise."
Contain
A Highways Agency spokesman said the police and councils hoped to contain the protestors to a route taking in the M60 and the M602, the A5063 Trafford Road and on to Salford Quays. It was unclear last night whether the convoy would accept that route rather than pressing on to the inner ring road and into the city centre.
The spokesman said last night: "We are advising people to check the traffic reports before setting off."
Mr Brown came under further pressure in parliament yesterday for another measure due to hit motorists - changes in road tax which could see owners of the most polluting cars pay as much as £200 more.
Tory leader David Cameron warned the prime minister was likely to lose his job if he didn't scrap the `deeply unpopular and un-environmental' changes. Mr Cameron, pointing to Labour unrest over the plans, bluntly told Mr Brown at Commons question time: "If you don't get rid of it, they [Labour backbenchers] will probably get rid of you."
Mr Brown defended the changes as a means of cutting carbon emissions and tackling climate change.
In rowdy exchanges, he accused the opposition leader of `running away' from taking action on the environment and `sounding more and more like a used car salesman'.
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Everybody compares the fuel duty to Ireland.
In Ireland you pay VAT at 21% compared to 17.5%. Hand up who wants VAT on everything to be 21%? Stamp duty on house purchases at 7%? - Any takers?
In Spain Income tax starts at 24% and is 28% above 17360 Euros. Shall we have that here and lower fuel tax.
The truth is a bit to inconvenient for the protesters.
I thought that the planet was dying due to congestion. These bikers just want to snarl up the roads and create more pollution just so thay have a few more pence for beer and fags.
If you ride a bike to work fine. But if you are one of these types who has one just for use at the weekend then shame on you.
You see them on a Sunday, not going anywhere in particular,mjust going for a ride with their mates like a bunch of kinds. Except for one thing - they are killing the planet.
Disagree 100% over the aims of the protest, but am very happy for them to proceed in this manner.
As far as I'm concerned we need the population to start getting involved in protests a lot more, and start to get our voices heard.
Took me 25 minutes to drive from Sharston to City Centre Manchester down the Parkway this morning...that's half the time it normally takes me !!!???!!!!
Regarding the proposed increases in car tax mentioned in this article, I only drive a 1.4 compact, but I will be facing a sizeable increase from 2010.
The Government say these measures are to influence consumer behaviour and get them to buy vehicles with lower emissions. How can my behaviour be influenced when I bought the car in 2003? Are they now going to provide me with a tardis, so I can go back and change my choice?
These rules weren't in place then, and yes, they would have influenced my choice at that time. Once again, you are simply forced into a corner to pay more tax. I don't think the British public will be falling for this one.
Good on these protesters. Petrol is just another tax rip-off.
Its about time we had a voice in what the government spends our money on - it wouldn't have to raise the revenue if it wasn't wasting money on stuff we don't want it to. Lets have all accounts published and easily available - accountability. We are paying for a "service" from government and it is costing us too dear.
MC Spanner: "In Spain Income tax starts at 24% and is 28% above 17360 Euros. Shall we have that here and lower fuel tax."
Add to that the fact that 2000km of Spain's motorway network is toll roads (compared to 44km in the UK) and it looks even less attractive.
Its about time the British Public started to stand up for themselves. If we did this more often then maybe we wouldn't be in the situation we are now. Good on them.
Black Flag,
The trouble here is a couple of headlines in the Daily Dogwhistle and all the half witted hit the streets. In a week of planning, none have come up with what they would give up, how they would pay for it etc.
The only suggestions come from the complete half-wits (Is that a full wit?) who bang on about "Asians" and "Let a few bodies pile up - then the government will learn".
The annoying thing is the police were happy to close of the whole motorway for 600 people. Would it not have been easier to close Birch Services? Heaven Forbid they do this for Man United (I am a Blue) and their hundreds and thousands of fans for a celebration.
I am turning into Mr Angry......
Someone said to vote out the gov’mnt that’s in at the moment and it will all come right.
I understand where you’re all comin from but replace them with who? Tories – remember the high unemployment and high interest rates, Lib Dems – really not got their heads screwed on, Greens – probably f*rt less gas than they burn trying to get their message across and anyone else hasn’t got enough wazz to be able to get enough votes to get anywhere. I think that we should get rid of Brown himself and replace the leader… we were doing reasonable under Blair until Bush got involved…
audenshaw bob
get real just cos someone has a motorbike doesnt mean its just for leisure!! people actually go to work on them, and rising fuel costs is not just hitting motorists, its hitting companies, it cost more to deliver stuff which is passed on to the consumer!! so think about the big picture?????? as for congestion, manchesters public transport is a joke one tram breaks down and the networks at a stand still!!!!
"As a chamber we are lobbying the government to scrap the 2p rise in fuel duty scheduled for October. The Treasury has already received £505m in tax since April 1st due to the rising price of oil, which is the same amount as would be raised by the proposed 2p rise."
April, May and five days into June, WOW, that's a lot of EXTRA money we shouldn't be paying. Now to my recollection fuel prices have been high since midway 2007, so we must have paid roughly 1.2bn in EXTRA taxes.
The 2p rise is just a gimmick, they never intended to raise prices by 2p, they're going to scrap it to make it look like they care.
Higher road tax on gas guzzlers is another rip off, owners of gas guzzler pay extra taxes because they use more fuel. I agree it should apply to brand new vehicles, but charging people who already own a gas guzzler is simply an unavoidable fine.
We're basically being screwed to rectify New Labours catastrophic New Britain.
Yes,
benjidog if governments weere forced to give way to every pressure group from every corner of opinion we would end up with completely incoherent policies, budgets that don't balance etc. But of course pressure groups don't think about this.
This is more of the Rangers mob mentality. These un-elected unaccountable self - appointed spokespeople are doing exactly what the Rangers fans did which is to try to bring our City to a standstill. I don't have a problem with their issue but they have absolutely no right to imconvenience me to pursue their goals. Do these clowns not have any work to go to? In essence what we are witnessing is non- violent terrorism.
To Trudy in Bolton - We do have a say in what the Government spends its money on - its called a vote!
Someone mentioned voting out the current government and all will return to 'normal'... Don't forget what it was like beforehand - high interest and high unemployment - then you won't have any money to spend on fuel because you wont have a job! I think we should just replace Brown... we were doing reasonably well before Blair was involved with Bush. :-(
Good for the bikers. The governments taxes have nothing to do with the environment. It's just another way of ripping off the public.
our leaders have hit the self destruct button on british industry.
if they are not careful the once great nation of ours will be another sponging euro has been .
i am sure the british voter didn't vote to be ripped off left ,right and centre by the people who are supposed to be looking after our country
Never mind the cost of fuel, fuel duty an VAT. The cost of food had gone up by over 25% in the past 6 months and there are still people claiming this does not concern them. I am hoping one day there will be food riots over here in the UK and lets see if the cost of fuel still concern these people.
Benjidog: 'Its about time the British Public started to stand up for themselves.'
What, and be accused of being racist, homophobic, fascist etc etc. No. better to keep your mouth shut, sit on your hands and let what's left of this wonderful country disappear for ever.
Well done folks - good turnout.
Another one in a months time perhaps?
;-)
Cheesy Wotsit, Manchester
You can't keep labour in just because of previous history etc. Labour, in my opinion, deserve to be ousted out for recent bad decisions and I generally think a good shake up is required anyway. Keep them on their toes. Half the problem is they think they will have the votes regardless (in some cases they do, stupidly).
The message needs to be - if you don't deliver, goodbye!
Le Comte de Bobelesque, formerly a frog
Youve got a great way with words,but i totally agree with ya mate.its time that the british citizen stood up for themselves rather than just sat on their arses and do nothing.They need to find a voice like the french or the italians,And stop being controlled by the government.
So were you there today Ace? or were you sat on your ****