FUEL PROTEST

Hauliers and farmers angry at the price of fuel were threatening action on the county's main commuter roads.

As many as 30 protesters staged a demonstration outside the Fawley oil refinery in the New Forest as part of their action.

They were demanding that tanker drivers suspend movements at Fawley until lunchtime or they would stage a go slow on motorways and major roads around Southampton.

They said their aim was not to cause disruption to the public but were seeking their support against the increase in tax on fuel.

One man said: "The policy for the cost of taxation of fuel is astronomical. For every £1 I pay, 80p goes to the government.''

Hampshire was part of a national campaign which saw a series of protests planned throughout Britain.

A convoy of protesters had initially planned to gather at about 6.30am at Ower for the morning rush hour travelling at about 40mph on minor roads and 50mph on motorways.

They had been expected to set off in three groups of ten and head along the A36 from Ower, along the A326 to the Hardley roundabout and then move on to the M27 to the Windhover roundabout at junction 8 near Hamble. They were then due to have headed back along the motorway and back to the Hardley roundabout before dispersing.

But their protest was called off while they waited on the results of negotiations with the union representative at Fawley.

The campaigners threatened today's protest would only be the opening shots in the war against the cost of fuel.

Today's protest was led by Chris Hunter, a road haulage contractor based in Southampton Docks.

He said: "We were going to have a go slow in the rush hour, but thought that might back fire against us.

"Now we have decided to seek a meeting with the tankers' drivers union representative and will ask him to suspend operations until midday. If that falls flat on its face, we will take to the roads with a convoy of trucks and tractors.

"The protesters are a mixture of farmers, hauliers and road haulage contractors. We are all in the same boat. We are all cheesed off at the price of fuel which is putting a lot of people out of business.

"But whatever happens we want to minimise disruption to the public and make sure they are on our side.''

Hampshire was the brunt of protests in the autumn of 2000 when there was a month-long action against the price of fuel at Fawley and the BP oil terminal at Hamble.

Yesterday pressure group Farmers For Action launched a protest at Shell's refinery in Stanlow where 30 tractors and agricultural vehicles formed a rolling blockade at one of the gates to the refinery. Following talks with the police, they agreed to park their vehicles on the grass on the roundabout and send in a small party to negotiate with Shell management.