Fuel depot blockades led by independent truck drivers caused chaos across Sussex and the UK when petrol stations ran dry.

The protests were over the rising cost of petrol and diesel.

By 2000, tax accounted for 81.5% of the total cost of unleaded petrol, with UK prices going from being amongst the cheapest in Europe to being the most expensive in a short space time.

Farmers and hauliers were joined by taxi drivers in the blockade, aimed at forcing the Government to cut petrol taxes.

Despite Prime Minister Tony Blair’s assurances that a solution to the crisis would be found, stations across Sussex ran out when thousands of motorists stocked up.

East Sussex County Council held urgent talks with bus operators about cutting off-peak services.

East Sussex Fire Brigade suspended non-emergency work but still responded to 999 calls.

Motorists were advised to take only necessary journeys and companies encouraged their staff to car-share where possible.

Even after the blockade was broken, motorists were warned they would face up to a week for supplies to filter through to the pumps.

The stranglehold on supplies began to ease after the government used emergency powers to order oil companies to deliver petrol to hundreds of priority stations.

Protesters allowed two tankers out of the Shoreham depot with drivers putting posters on the front of their vehicles saying the fuel was for police stations.

Protesters Steve Dudman and Richard Scott spoke to independent truckers waiting to enter the depot to fill up, asking for their cooperation and support.

Mr Dudman, who ran an aggregate company in Ford, near Littlehampton, and employed |40 people, told how three of his sites were no longer working because of the fuel crisis.

But he insisted it was vital for every business that concessions were won from the government.

A Worthing taxi driver, who gave his name |as Ian, said he had a pregnant wife and a mortgage and his 11-year old business was in jeopardy because of the high cost of petrol.

He said: “Most people in this country agree with us.”

The aim was to secure a reduction in the fuel duty rate which the government refused to enact.

But after the protest ended, the Tony Blair’s government announced a freeze on fuel duties.

Panic-buying was triggered after another fuel protest in 2005 – though it did not have the same impact as in 2000.

Some forecourts had to close with The Argus warning the county was edging towards a fuel crisis reminiscent of 2000. Fuel suppliers said they were struggling to cope with a week’s demand in just one day as queues formed outside petrol stations.

Demonstration leaders said |supplies would not be obstructed but it did not stop anxious drivers queuing at forecourts across |Sussex to fill their tanks as a precaution.