The convoy traveled at 30mph on three lanes of the M5 north and south in Somerset and the Bristol area on Friday morning as tens of thousands of people headed to Devon and Cornwall to start their summer holidays. They then cordoned off a petrol station in Bridgwater, Somerset, allowing access only to emergency vehicles and essential workers. Convoy protest over fuel prices upsets holidaymakers on M5 – video By early afternoon there were about an hour’s worth of delays for people heading southwest, believed to be caused by a combination of the effects of the demonstration combined with normal heavy holiday traffic. One of the organizers of the demonstration, Mikey Dave, a door supervisor from Somerset, said: “We are protesting about the cost of living and fuel prices. We will show the government that enough is enough and we, the citizens, want the cost of living to be fixed for everyone.” After similar protests earlier this month, it was reported that the Home Office wanted police forces to use tough new powers to stop fuel protests. But there was no sign that police in Avon and Somerset planned to crack down on protesters and Dave thanked the force for its help to ensure the action went ahead safely. Ahead of the protest, Supt Tony Blatchford, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: “Our protest team have been working with the organizer so we can make the public aware of potential disruption and help minimize it. “However, drivers can expect journey times to be possibly longer than normal, especially on motorways, which often tend to be busier at this time of year. We advise motorists to consider any alternative travel plans available and ensure they are properly prepared in the event of a delay.” The M5 protest was over by midday with those involved turning their attention to blocking petrol stations. There appeared to be support for the protesters, although some complained that they risked upsetting the least deserving people. Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST On the protest group’s Facebook page one person wrote: “I’m totally behind everyone and something needs to be done but you’re hitting on the wrong people, the ones who will be delayed today are working class people who have saved up all year to take their kids on holiday which they could potentially lose. These company directors will not be on the M5 or any other motorway today.” With most schools in England and Wales breaking up for the summer this week, the RAC said around 18.8 million leisure trips were planned in the UK between Friday and Monday – the most since the company started tracking the numbers of summer getaways in 2014.
