Protests against increases in fuel duty have failed to materialise, motoring organisations have reported.

Commuters were urged to bring their cars to a halt for one minute on Wednesday morning to register their opposition to the Treasury's duty increase of 1.28 pence per litre of fuel.

However, it was later reported that traffic continued as normal.

"We have monitored all the motorways and have seen no sign of any protest," said a spokesman for the AA.

"The only sign of cars on hard shoulders was on the westbound section of the M4 in West London - but that was due to a breakdown."

Nevertheless, the Road Haulage Association has delivered a letter to Downing Street voicing its opposition to the duty rise.

"The French government announced last week it was increasing the tax on diesel duty by two pence per litre but exempting professional users," it read.

"They recognise the importance of road transport and the importance of keeping direct operating costs down. Why does our own government not understand this and offer the same facility?"

Leading fuel protester Andrew Spence still claimed victory over the Treasury.

"We have had protests in Manchester, London, Dartford, all over the place and I am over the moon," he said.

"It shows the government we are still there and we are still active.

"From the phone calls I have received it has been an overwhelming success and the government should be worried."

However, the protests have not had the same impact as those seen in 2000, which led to large queues outside forecourts and the closure of some businesses and schools.

Retailers including Asda, Morrisons, Safeway and Sainsbury's have announced that the increase will not be seen at the petrol pumps.

However, BP has confirmed that prices will rise on their forecourts, while Tesco has been unable to confirm its plans.

Environmental groups have welcomed the rise in duties.

"The cost of motoring is falling," insisted Tony Bosworth, transport campaigner at Friends of the Earth.

"This is counter-productive if the government really wants people to use their cars less."