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Truckers in diesel price protest | Truckers in diesel price protest |
(20 minutes later) | |
Lorry drivers protesting against the "rocketing" price of diesel are heading in a convoy towards central London. | Lorry drivers protesting against the "rocketing" price of diesel are heading in a convoy towards central London. |
Dozens of lorries will converge on Park Lane in protest at a 30% rise in diesel pump prices over the past year. | Dozens of lorries will converge on Park Lane in protest at a 30% rise in diesel pump prices over the past year. |
Organisers will present a coffin to the Houses of Parliament to represent hundreds of haulage firms that they say have gone bankrupt as a result. | Organisers will present a coffin to the Houses of Parliament to represent hundreds of haulage firms that they say have gone bankrupt as a result. |
It follows a 48-hour strike at Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland in a dispute over pension changes. | It follows a 48-hour strike at Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland in a dispute over pension changes. |
Tuesday's protest has been organised by TransAction 2007, one of the groups behind fuel protests in 2000 which caused 90% of petrol stations to run dry. | Tuesday's protest has been organised by TransAction 2007, one of the groups behind fuel protests in 2000 which caused 90% of petrol stations to run dry. |
'Lifeblood of economy' | 'Lifeblood of economy' |
Beginning on the M2 motorway in Kent, the protest is due to reach central London by 1000 BST. | Beginning on the M2 motorway in Kent, the protest is due to reach central London by 1000 BST. |
Organisers said that fuel for a typical articulated lorry now costs up to £1,000 per week. | Organisers said that fuel for a typical articulated lorry now costs up to £1,000 per week. |
The problem was exacerbated by foreign hauliers who arrive in the UK "full to the brim with cheaper fuel", spokesman Mike Presneill said. | The problem was exacerbated by foreign hauliers who arrive in the UK "full to the brim with cheaper fuel", spokesman Mike Presneill said. |
"Our industry is the lifeblood of the UK economy," he added. | "Our industry is the lifeblood of the UK economy," he added. |
"Fuel is rising on a daily basis. It is now at levels that are bankrupting hundreds of small and medium-sized haulage companies. | "Fuel is rising on a daily basis. It is now at levels that are bankrupting hundreds of small and medium-sized haulage companies. |
"These are the companies that have been built up through hard work often over generations," Mr Presneill added. | "These are the companies that have been built up through hard work often over generations," Mr Presneill added. |
"The government is standing by and watching this happen." | "The government is standing by and watching this happen." |
Protesters will hand a letter summarising their grievances to the Houses of Parliament, together with a copy of the 2005 Burns Inquiry. | Protesters will hand a letter summarising their grievances to the Houses of Parliament, together with a copy of the 2005 Burns Inquiry. |
The independent inquiry into the effect of fuel taxation found that the level of diesel duty in the UK was higher than the average EU rate. | The independent inquiry into the effect of fuel taxation found that the level of diesel duty in the UK was higher than the average EU rate. |