Wednesday 7th September 2005

The BBC reported that the group who had been responsible for protest blockades in the UK in September 2000 was threatening to stage protests at oil refineries from 6 a.m. on 14 September unless reductions in fuel duty were made. In response, the government drew up contingency plans to maintain the supply of fuel, including the use of 1,000 army drivers to operate tankers, the introduction of fuel rationing and the confiscation of the driving licences of those who broke the law. Drivers began to panic-buy, with some waiting an hour to fill their vehicles. At its height, around 3,000 petrol stations were emptied of fuel. However, on 14 September only a small number of protesters arrived at the refineries with no intention to start blockading the entrances and the protest quickly fizzled out.