I am appealing for everyone to stick to the 60-day deadline and not to allow themselves to be goaded into provocative statements or industrial actions

Brynle Williams

Mr Williams, from Mold in Flintshire, hopes they can meet ahead of Mr Brown's pre-budget report, which could be at the end of October.

Provocative statements by fellow-protesters such as the people's fuel lobby and farmers for action, had prompted Mr Williams' request, he said.

"In the interests of trying to keep an even keel on this, I am appealing for everyone to stick to the 60-day deadline and not to allow themselves to be goaded into provocative statements or industrial actions," he said.

The Treasury indicated that Mr Brown might consider such a meeting.

A spokesman said that the chancellor had met many people to discuss the fuel tax issue.

Pressure over fuel tax

Fuel protesters set the 60-day deadline - due to run out on 13 November - in a bid to pressure the government into reducing fuel taxation to avoid further blockades of fuel depots.

Mr Williams' attempt to hold a meeting comes ahead of a meeting on Thursday between transport ministers Lord Macdonald and Lord Whitty, Treasury minister Stephen Timms, union representatives and the freight transport association (FTA).

That meeting - under the auspices of the road haulage forum - had been planned prior to the fuel protests but has increased in significance because of them.

The ministers are expected to hear about the concerns of the FTA, the Road Haulage Association, the transport workers' union, and representatives of independent hauliers in relation to the cost of fuel.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The government is listening to a variety of different groups on this issue."