Go-slow petrol price protest held on M54 motorway

A go-slow protest on the M54 by motorists angry at rising fuel costs led to miles of tailbacks.

A convoy of 20 vehicles went from Telford services to junction one for Featherstone and back again.

It comes as petrol prices hit new record highs every day for the past month, according to the RAC.

One of the organisers, Telford builder Lee Griffin, said it was about "making some noise and making people aware of how disgruntled we are".

Ten miles of queuing traffic was reported westbound following the protest which began at about 07:00 BST on Monday, causing delays of 30 minutes.

Conditions returned to normal by 10:00 BST.

Highways Agency and police vehicles followed the convoy.

The West Mercia force criticised the actions of some protestors and said it would take action against any who committed road traffic offences.

"We apologise for any disruption caused this morning and thank the public for their patience and co-operation," it said.

The protest was one of a number planned across the country, including on the M6.

Mr Griffin said the rise in fuel prices was causing problems for businesses "up and down the country".

"We can't just sit back and let this happen and keep having these excessive fuel hikes inflicted upon us added to every other aspect of cost of living that has gone up and up over the last few months - it is just becoming unaffordable and unsustainable," Mr Griffin said.

"I think it is going to lead to business closures and poverty."

He added the protest was a "small inconvenience" to motorists compared to how fuel prices would affect people.

In Stoke-On-Trent, on the A50, one van and three cars staged a protest by travelling at 15mph.

Jason Burn, managing director of local bus company Copelands Tours, did not participate in the A50 protest but told BBC Radio Stoke he supported the action, saying his firm was "grossly impacted" by the rise at the pumps.

Frank Bird, National Highways senior network planner, said: "We respect people's right to protest, however we would urge people not to take part because protesting on the strategic road network would be extremely dangerous, not just for the protesters but for people using the roads."

Elsewhere in the region, West Midlands Police said it was aware of planned protests.

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