Hauliers in the south-east are likely to press for a repeat of yesterday's protest if the Government does not cut fuel tax in advance of the December budget.
A good-humoured public and co-operative truck-drivers were credited with making the protest run relatively smoothly throughout the region.
There were severe delays on certain routes, however. It took some motorists 2 1/2 hours to get to work in Waterford from New Ross, a journey which normally takes about 25 minutes.
The majority of car-drivers, however, appeared to support the hauliers' action. "I have oil central heating and I have a diesel car, and what the hauliers are doing today is going to affect all of us in the long run. All our diesel, oil and petrol costs are going to be down," said one woman driver in Waterford city.
Mr Harry Power, a spokesman for hauliers in the south-east, said similar views were being expressed throughout the day. He accepted, however, that the public's patience could not be relied upon should there be a repeat of yesterday's action. Yet that is what hauliers in the region are likely to demand. There was a general view that the pressure needed to be maintained, Mr Power said.
Waterford was the worst-affected centre in the region. Throughout the day about 200 lorries drove round the city at a snail's pace. From Rice Bridge they headed down the quays and out the Cork road, where they turned at a roundabout and drove back through the city, crossing the bridge again and turning on the roundabout at the railway station.
Locals said, however, that the ensuing chaos was not much worse than normally experienced in Waterford on a Friday. Congestion is the norm on the quays, due to roadworks and the fact that the city's much-needed second bridge is not due to be built for another five years.
A positive outcome for motorists was that car-parking spaces were more plentiful, as many people avoided going into the city. Retailers, however, were left to count the cost.
"Trade is certainly down compared to a normal Friday," said Mr Alan Weston, manager of the City Square shopping centre. "But we had a very good day yesterday, with people anticipating what was going to happen, and we hope to have a good day tomorrow. Overall, it has not been a disaster."
In Kilkenny, about seven farmers brought their tractors on to the city's ring road to support the hauliers, who remained on the outskirts and did not disrupt trade in the city centre. Several convoys caused delays on the N11 eastern corridor, but Insp Gordon Ryan said traffic was kept moving at all times.
There were also convoys between Rosslare and Enniscorthy, but traffic was not prevented from going in and out of Rosslare port. A commitment that emergency services would not be affected was met when two people required hospital treatment following a two-car collision on the Enniscorthy-Clonroche road.
Convoys also operated in the Clonmel, Cashel and Cahir in south Tipperary. Insp Ryan said the public deserved credit for the patience they had shown to the protesters.
