Blockade attempt by fuel protesters at Stanlow

Feb 27 2011 by Allison Dickinson, Chester Chronicle

FUEL tax campaigners took their protest a step further after setting up a blockade at the Stanlow oil refinery.

Despite falling short on expected numbers, organiser Ian Charlesworth of Fuel Protest UK announced on social networking site Facebook that Friday (February 25) night’s event was a huge success.

He said: “We stopped 8-10 tankers leaving the refinery and blockaded for four hours - 120 people and 80 cars - well done everyone and thank you to all.”

The go-slow took a different route from the first protest in January, going from Hapsford Services to Bridge Lane close to Stanlow oil refinery via Stanney Lane, Ellesmere Port town centre and Oil Sites Road.

Speaking prior to leaving Hapsford Services, Ian said: “It is all about getting the message out. Even if only 10 people turn up it’s fine.

“We don’t need to go to the gate this time as it is taking place on a public highway instead of private property.

“The police know we are going to create a blockade but once we have made our point we will be asked to move on.

“We have requested that sensible policing prevails but we don’t have any firm plans at the moment. We could end up staying until midnight or 6am, I just don’t know. A lot depends on what level we feel people are prepared to stay.

“There will be a 4p increase this week and it is far too much. It has got to stop.”

Cheshire Police issued notices to motorists to warn them of the potential consequences of a blockade.

It read: “The police recognise and accept that you have a right to demonstrate peacefully within the law. Your assistance in aiding public safety on the highway throughout today’s demonstration is requested and will be much appreciated.

“However, it is only fair to warn you that any unlawful action on your part which disrupts the free flow of traffic in Cheshire may constitute an offence of wilful obstruction of the highway and could result in arrest and subsequent prosecution if you fail, when requested, to remove your vehicle from causing an obstruction.

“In such circumstances, if you continue to cause an obstruction, your vehicle may be removed from the highway at your own expense.”

The senior police officer at the protest was Inspector Dave Price, who said: “If they decide to do a blockade then we will deal with that in a reasonable fashion.”

Future action will take different forms but the protesters plan to use direct action, including unannounced events, and though the group has not received a response to the letter they sent to Downing Street, they are still hopeful of getting a meeting with a government minister to address the issue of spiralling fuel costs.

The next planned action at Stanlow is on March 11.