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Protesters yesterday targeted the north-east as part of UK-wide demonstrations over high fuel prices.

Two tractors caused eight miles of tailbacks on the A92 Aberdeen-Stonehaven Road, while in the north two cars slowly made their way over the Kessock Bridge - causing huge queues of traffic on the A9 Thurso to Inverness route.

Police Scotland said it was aware of protests across Scotland and urged motorists to be careful.

The UK Government has said that it understands people are struggling with rising prices and have a right to protest, but that people's day-to-day lives should not be disrupted.

It also warned that traffic delays "will only add to fuel use".

Latest figures from the RAC show the average UK petrol price at 191.53p a litre and diesel at 199.03p a litre.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said he will carefully consider calls for a "more substantial" fuel duty cut, after a 5p per litre reduction implemented in March failed to halt price rises.

Impact of war in Ukraine

Fuel prices have been pushed higher by the war in Ukraine, as Russia - one of the world's largest oil exporters – is now being hit by sanctions.

Other protests yesterday affected motorways in England and Wales, where convoys of vehicles drove slowly in two lanes on three-lane motorways, leaving the "fast" lane free.

The roads affected included the M4, the M5 in Devon, the M32 and the M180 in Lincolnshire.

Road-policing Chief Inspector Lorraine Napier told the BBC that Police Scotland was aware of protests on motorways and trunk roads.

"We urge all road users to drive within the speed limits and at an appropriate speed for the road conditions to encourage safe and responsible road use for all," she said.

One protestor in Inverness, who gave her name as Julie, said she was taking part as she wanted fuel prices to come down.

People also took to social media yesterday to commend the efforts of protestors as they seek more measures to help reduce fuel prices.

Not everyone in favour

However, not everyone was in favour of the action.

One of the online posters said: "Didn't they do this in the summer of 2000 and it led to mass panic-buying, fuel shortages and the price of fuel going up?"


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