Petrol boycott filters out

Garry Russell wants drivers to take a stand

Motorists have given a lukewarm response to a one-day nationwide protest against fuel prices, according to reports from around the UK.

The UK's 27 million car drivers were urged to take part in the 24-hour boycott of garage forecourts.

Some garages were almost deserted during Tuesday morning, but others said business was no different from normal.

If we do nothing then we can expect nothing in return

Garry Russell

The campaign is the idea of Essex website designer Garry Russell.

He wants motorists to repeat the boycott every subsequent Monday to keep the high price of fuel in the public eye.

But a planned "rolling roadblock" by road hauliers on the M20 in Kent, in support of the boycott, only managed to attract six lorries and six cars.

A spokesman for the Petrol Retailers Association said the boycott had had a "minimal effect".

Mr Russell said the campaign needed wide support.

He said: "If we do nothing then we can expect nothing in return.

"If we sit back then before too long we will have the £5 gallon."

Opinions at the pumps

Many motorists interviewed at the pumps admitted they supported the campaign but felt they could not afford to participate for practical reasons.

Some blamed the government for the price of petrol, as 75% of the cost of each litre goes directly to the Treasury.

Nick Lacey, a salesman from Glasgow, said: "I do think the price is too high but what can you do? You're stuck.

"I work in Livingston and I have to have the car to get me there and all around to do my job. It's just essential."

Stephen McMahon, a tradesman from Glasgow, said: "The tax is much too high. I knew about the campaign but there's no real alternative. I mean you can't fill up with water, can you?"

Salesman Vaughan France, from Manchester, said: "If I didn't need to fill up urgently, I would make a point of not buying petrol."

Price cuts

Mr Russell believes the campaign has been responsible for supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons cutting their fuel prices.

BP and Shell have also cut their prices, but retailers have denied the move was an attempt to head off Tuesday's protest.

Garry Russell organised the campaign via his website

Edmund King, of the Royal Automobile Club, said: "I think this was a one-day gesture.

"The government will realise that a lot of motorists are very concerned about the cost of petrol.

"But when it comes down to it, people dependent on their cars... if they actually need to, will fill up."

Ray Holloway, of the Petrol Retailers Association, said: "Overall there is no mass exodus from the filling station forecourts. The indications are that it is really rather a normal Tuesday."

Transport Minister Lord Whitty did not accept that the government was to blame for high petrol prices.

He told the BBC that the last budget had been the best for motorists in years.

We do recognise the cost of motoring is a problem

Lord Whitty, transport minister

"It has been the increase in the price of crude oil, not taxation, which has increased the pump prices so rapidly over the last few months."

Mr Russell organised the protest mainly via the internet and his website www.boycott-the-pumps.com, which has had nearly 250,000 visitors.