Gridlock fears in Birmingham as huge fuel protest 'planned' for major roads

A call for drivers to protest over the rising prices of fuel has been made online with police and the highways agency confirming they are aware

A big protest is set to hit one of Birmingham‘s busiest junctions in a protest at the rising prices of fuel.

A call for ‘HGV drivers, farmers and everyone’ to gather at Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham – on all the approach routes at midday today (Wednesday, April 15) has been made online.

In a poster titled England Fuel Protest, some 14 locations nationwide are listed.

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Protests are planned from the M8 motorway in Scotland down to the Port of Felixstowe container terminal in Kent.

Roads mentioned include the A1(M) at Scotch Corner, M6 and M74 at the Scottish border, the M5 at Junction 20, Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham – which is Junction 6 of the M6.

The A1 by the Moto service sin Grantham, the M5/M4 junction, the M1 and M25 junction and M25 Dartford Crossing.

The protest is also planned for the M2 at Junction 3, the M20 at Junction 6, the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge the A50 Uttoxeter bypass in the West Midlands and at Felixstowe.

Diesel and unleaded prices have soared in recent weeks since Donald Trump launched a war against Iran in the Middle East on February 28.

Since then the Iranians have blocked a number of gas and oil container ships from navigating through the narrow Straits of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s energy passes.

This has then led to a dramatic rise in prices at the pumps with unleaded now widely at more than £1.50 a litre and diesel approaching the dreaded £2 per lite mark.

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Both West Midlands Police and National Highways have said they are aware of the protest plan.

A spokeswoman for National Highways said: “We are aware of the potential protests.

“When protests affect the roads we manage, we work closely with the police and our partners to minimise disruption.

“For the latest traffic and travel information, visit our travel updates page here: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/.”

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “We’re aware that people may be planning to disrupt traffic today (Wednesday 15 April).

“We have robust plans in place should the protest take place. We’ll deal with any traffic offences appropriately.

“As with any journey on any day, we’d recommend that people check their route for delays by listening to local radio.”