£1 litre drives protesters back to the fuel blockades

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The average price of petrol broke through the £1 barrier last week for the first time, angering hauliers.

And Transaction 2007, the reincarnation of organisations involved in the 2000 fuel protests, has warned of imminent action.

A spokesman for the group said: "I think it will happen in the next seven to ten days. I can't say much about it."

During the blockades of seven years ago hospital operations had to be cancelled because NHS staff could not get to work, while supermarkets were forced to ration food because of shortages.

As the cost of oil soared towards $100 (£47.70) a barrel last week, retailers warned that prices at the pumps will rise by a further 3p a litre before Christmas.

According to the AA, the average petrol price in the UK last week was 100.08p per litre. At the start of the year, it was 88.32p.

Fuel protester and member of Transaction 2007 Andrew Spence, a former BNP candidate, said he'd attended a 'secret summit' at which business leaders had demanded a new blockade.

The father-of-three said: "We'll be firing a message to the Government which can't be ignored in the next week."

He confirmed that protests would "definitely" include blockades of terminals.

But Mr Spence, 37, a farmer from Leadgate, County Durham, assured drivers their interests would come first.

"This isn't a case of our group flexing its muscles," he said. "This is to send a message to the Treasury that drivers can't cope."

The Road Haulage Association said hauliers were frustrated by the high prices and said duty rates were much higher in Britain than in other European countries.

Jack Semple, RHA director of policy, said: "Prices have gone up every week for the past ten weeks.

"The impact of that is quite a severe one for very many hauliers. There shouldn't be an increase in fuel duty at a time of clear volatility in oil prices."