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Fuel protesters petition Senedd Fuel protesters petition Senedd
(20 minutes later)
Hauliers are driving from west Wales to the Senedd in Cardiff Bay to protest about the rising cost of fuel. Hauliers are driving from west Wales to the Welsh assembly in Cardiff Bay to protest about the rising cost of fuel.
Drivers are meeting at Cross Hands near Llanelli and travelling on the M4 to hand in a petition calling for help from the Welsh Assembly Government. More than 50 lorries gathered at Cross Hands near Llanelli before heading along the M4 to hand in a petition calling for help.
The action is part of a day of protests across the UK, including a convoy of lorries heading for Downing Street.The action is part of a day of protests across the UK, including a convoy of lorries heading for Downing Street.
The UK government said it understood the pressures brought by rising fuel costs and was addressing the situation.The UK government said it understood the pressures brought by rising fuel costs and was addressing the situation.
The organisers of the Welsh protest said haulage firms were being driven to the wall by the high cost of diesel and a planned 2p rise in fuel duty.The organisers of the Welsh protest said haulage firms were being driven to the wall by the high cost of diesel and a planned 2p rise in fuel duty.
They are calling for an "essential user" rebate of between 20p and 25p per litre for HGV drivers.They are calling for an "essential user" rebate of between 20p and 25p per litre for HGV drivers.
Organiser Mike Green said about 100 lorry drivers had signed up to take part in the demonstration and he expected others to join in on the day.
I fear that many businesses could soon find themselves struggling to make ends meet Andrew Davies, Conservative AMI fear that many businesses could soon find themselves struggling to make ends meet Andrew Davies, Conservative AM
Organiser Mike Green said about 100 lorry drivers had signed up to take part in the demonstration and he expected others to join in on the day.
"We've got coaches, taxi drivers and 'Joe Public' in cars coming along. Anyone can come and join in," he said."We've got coaches, taxi drivers and 'Joe Public' in cars coming along. Anyone can come and join in," he said.
The convoy was meeting at the Leekes car park in Cross Hands at 0800 BST, with more joining en route and at the Cardiff West services with the aim of arriving in Cardiff Bay at 1200 BST. The convoy was meeting at the Leekes car park, with more joining en route and at the Cardiff West services with the aim of arriving in Cardiff Bay at 1200 BST.
Conservative AMs Andrew Davies, one of the politicians meeting the delegation at the Senedd, and who speaks on transport, said: "Spiralling fuel costs are hurting haulage companies across Wales and the rest of the UK. Conservative AM Andrew Davieswho speaks on transport, said: "Spiralling fuel costs are hurting haulage companies across Wales and the rest of the UK.
"Unless there is some reprieve in the near future, I fear that many businesses could soon find themselves struggling to make ends meet.""Unless there is some reprieve in the near future, I fear that many businesses could soon find themselves struggling to make ends meet."
A Treasury spokesperson said fuel prices had risen by more than 19% since this time last year.A Treasury spokesperson said fuel prices had risen by more than 19% since this time last year.
The spokesman said: "To respond to short-term pressures, the 2008 Budget announced that the 2p per litre fuel duty increase, scheduled for 1 April, will be deferred until 1 October."The spokesman said: "To respond to short-term pressures, the 2008 Budget announced that the 2p per litre fuel duty increase, scheduled for 1 April, will be deferred until 1 October."