A FUEL protest group who brought Stanlow refinery to a grinding halt in a stand against petrol prices are already planning another demonstration.
Stanlow Fuel Protest and Direct Action Group staged a blockade at Ellesmere Port’s Stanlow Oil Refinery on Friday evening, leaving tankers queuing outside for hours.
About 20 tankers were caught in the tailbacks when they tried to access the site and another 10 drivers were trapped inside for nearly two hours.
One eye witness said: “The protesters blocked the gates where the tankers go in and out to refuel, which caused chaos.
“They stopped about 20 trucks from going in or out and one driver told me if he did not get refuelled within half an hour, Formby on Merseyside would run out of fuel for the weekend.”
The gates were blocked from about 8p-10pm by about 15 members of the group in six vehicles.
Group leader Ian Charlesworth, from Hawarden, said the demonstration was held to fight against the “unsustainable” fuel hikes, which spelled “armageddon” for road users if action was not taken.
He added: “We will keep coming back until something is done about the cartel that exists between the supermarkets and the government.”
The protest comes just days after a report by the AA revealed diesel prices had shot up by an average 1.3p a litre, from 139.65p a month ago to 140.95p now.
The group, which has recruited most of its supporters and members from Facebook, has vowed to continue with its “peaceful protests” and has been involved in a number of demonstrations this year.
Leaders have organised another go-slow protest on Wednesday, November 30, which will begin at 7pm outside Broughton Retail Park, before proceeding to Stanlow via Hapsford Services.
