M62 bikers head to Manchester in fuel prices protest





About 1,000 bikers took part in a protest in 2008

Bikers protesting over the record price of petrol are staging a go-slow on the M62 into Manchester.

Demonstrators hope the "May-Hem" protest, which began at 0900 BST at Hartshead Moor Services in West Yorkshire, would be the biggest held.
Police said motorists are facing "significant delays" but have not yet confirmed how many bikers are involved.
Very slow traffic was being reported westbound between J23 Huddersfield and J21 Milnrow at 1000 BST.
Greater Manchester Police have said they will work to minimise any disruption to other drivers and businesses during the protest.
Protests in the last two years have seen hundreds of bikers take over motorways, travelling at 25mph.



Consider alternatives

Organisers on biker websites say the general election campaign is an opportunity to show the "political elite" they want a cut in fuel duty.
The AA's monthly fuel price report for April says petrol prices have reached a new record high, having broken the previous record of 119.7p a litre set in July 2008.
Rising wholesale costs, a 1p increase in fuel duty on 1 April and a higher price for oil continue to push pump prices up by one to two-tenths of a penny a day, the organisation said, with the UK having the eleventh highest unleaded price in Europe and the second highest diesel price.
In June 2008, about 1,000 bikers took part in a similar protest.
Bikers were due to gather at 0700 BST on Saturday morning at the westbound Hartshead Moor Services on the M62 in West Yorkshire and set off at 0900 BST heading for Manchester on the M62, on to the M60 and then from M60 Junction 12 on to the M602 towards Manchester.
Some demonstrators are then expected to leave the M602 at the roundabout with the A57 Regent Road and use the A5063 Trafford Road into Salford Quays.
The remaining demonstrators, controlled by a police convoy, will join Albion Way from the M602 roundabout and head into Manchester city centre.
They will be escorted down Deansgate and Mancunian Way, before heading to Salford Quays.
Travellers are advised to check traffic conditions before setting out and motorists coming into Manchester are asked to consider alternative journey options.



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