A road safety campaigner suffered a barrage of abuse from angry drivers after he caused a four-mile tailback by repeatedly pressing the button at a pedestrian crossing.
Tony Fuller, 77, was protesting about commuter traffic and speeding lorry drivers using the picturesque village of Chideock, near Bridport, Dorset, as a rat run.
He and 25 locals stood at a pedestrian crossing on the A35 and took it in turns to stop traffic by pushing the button controlling the traffic lights.
Irate motorists called in the police who issued Tony with a warning following the protest on Friday.
But he insists he acted legally by allowing the lights to briefly turn green to allow a small number of cars to pass.
He said: ”It’s fair to say we’ve had a mixed response from drivers. Some beep in support but then there are some who generally give us the one finger salute and shout aggressively from the driver’s window.
”There has been a very angry reaction from some of the businesses along the road but we are going to do it again. I have had a warning from police, who told me I was inadvertently causing an obstruction.
”They say we are blocking the roadway but we are letting traffic through between each individual crossing.
”We did it for two half hour stints last Friday at 10am and 2pm so commuters should have already passed through.
”Even if I do this alone I will continue. If it came to it I would go to jail. I have to make this protest.
”The traffic is horrendous and causing older buildings to subside. Forty-four tonne lorries pass within six feet of my window and I have sen as many as 12 in convoy.
”We are in a valley too so the pollution just sits here. I can feel it in my lungs when I walk down to the shops.”
Married retired Rolls Royce fitter Tony said his ”hand was forced” after 50 letters he wrote to the local council, police and MP over the last few years went unheeded.
Tony added: ”I understand this may not be making us very popular but this really is the last resort for us.”
Great Picture!
Great Picture!
How much more pollution was caused by this irresponsible action?
What additional distress was caused to people?
Do people who protest in this way care if someone dies because an emergency vehicle is delayed in the traffic jam they have caused?
NO! They only care about themselves.