Can you settle an argument for me?

[aethelbert35]

Apparently along with the tanker driver strikes, some Geordie farmer is arranging for trucks to block the motorway so the army cant get through driving the petrol tankers. This is the argument, I say no one can block motorways (except the emergency services and highway agency), my friend says they can as there is no one to stop them. How exactly can people block a motorway, wont the blockers be arrested before or during, and wont the farmer be arrested to for some Sect 5 public order or some traffic law?

[marmion]

they can block it , but not legally

we were in spain about 22 years ago and were literally trapped , every motorway was blocked with tractors. everyone was trying to use the hillside tracks but some of those were blocked too

i suppose it's on the scale it happens

[tredway]

It would be illegal, but if they block it by 'breaking down' they could argue the toss in court.

[josephus]

Yes he will be arrested and probably subsequently ... but by no means is that any impediment to actually blocking the motorways.. if theres a will .. they'll find another way to block the motorways.

The rule of law is only as good as the faith of those subject to the rule of law, in the rule of law.

"Life is like a sunny day, it just gets better"... yeah .. go to Greece .. they need tourists.. the only thing that'll happen to you here is you'll get ripped off by a Tory and then told you're a wog / dago / ***|*er by a Tory voter...its the British way of doing things.

[kendon19]

Yes he will be arrested and probably subsequently ... but by no means is that any impediment to actually blocking the motorways.. if theres a will .. they'll find another way to block the motorways.

The rule of law is only as good as the faith of those subject to the rule of law, in the rule of law.

"Life is like a sunny day, it just gets better"... yeah .. go to Greece .. they need tourists.. the only thing that'll happen to you here is you'll get ripped off by a Tory and then told you're a wog / dago / ***|*er by a Tory voter...its the British way of doing things.

[berwin]

It is illegal to stop on the motorway without unavoidable reason.

[juanito]

I think you're right TL. The farmer might be charged with breaching the Public Disorder Act. It might be classed as a public assembly/procession disrupting the life of the community.

[darik2]

Me and thousands of other tourists are coming to Britain this year for a holiday. Are you saying we should go elsewhere in Europe!

[torran]

This scenario has happened a number of times on the A55 in North Wales for several reasons. To make it legitimate one lane must remain open and the vehicles taking part in the protest travel at a slower speed than normal. On a busy motorway the "blocking" of 2 lanes (albeit with a rolling roadblock) is both legal and a perfect way of creating a major tailback.

[baigh]

yes