French truckers began blocking roads across France yesterday as they continued a protest against high fuel prices and urged the government to help the industry. The nationwide day of action announced by the main haulage associations included roadblocks and so-called ?nail? operations by convoys of slow-moving trucks and is expected to disrupt traffic severely, especially on highways.

But in a gesture intended to minimise delays for nearly half a million students sitting their baccalaureat examinations yesterday, the protest action was delayed until 9:00 a.m. and ended at 4:00 p.m. local time. ?It?s not about punishing transport users, it?s about sending a warning to the government,? said Philippe Fournier, an official of Unostra, an association that mainly represents small haulage firms. ?It has to accept its responsibilities.? Traffic was already building up around Paris and on roads leading to major towns including Lyon and Toulouse by mid-morning, the road traffic authority said.

Yesterday?s operation was the latest in a series of protests by groups ranging from truckers to fishermen aimed at pressuring the government to provide help in coping with the soaring cost of fuel, notably through tax relief. Similar protests by groups particularly vulnerable to rising fuel prices have been held across Europe in recent weeks, lifting the issue of oil prices to the top of the policy agenda.