By IRNA,
London : Fuel protesters have again blockaded an oil refinery at the centre of demonstrations that led to severe shortage in 2000, it has been reported here.
A number of tanker drivers decided not to leave the Stanlow depot in Cheshire, north west England on Friday, but a spokesman for Shell which owns the refinery, said only 20 tankers had been delayed, according to the BBC.
There was no news elsewhere about the latest protest and officers from the local Cheshire Police, who were at the scene, was said to have refused to comment on the protest so far.
The blockade is the latest in a growing wave of fuel price protests and came after traffic chaos has been caused by roads have been obstructed in London and Manchester in northern England.
The actions are against rising petrol prices and government plans to further increase fuel duty by 2 pence (Dlrs 0.04) per litre in October with taxes already accounting for more than 50 per cent of record prices.
Lorry drivers, farmers and fishermen have been at the centre of protests, complaining that fuel prices were destroying their livelihoods, while district nurses have also urged the government to increase their petrol allowances.
The Road Haulage Association has announced plans to stage “one of the biggest parliamentary lobbies of recent times” in early July, saying that “now is the time for real action.”
Fuel price protests in 2000, primarily led by lorry drivers and farmers, caused widespread disruption of petrol supplies across Britain when oil facilities were blockaded.
The government has since passed emergency legislation to ensure the delivery of petrol to filling stations, but it also led to some changes to ease the tax burden.