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| Lorry drivers stage fuel protest | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Dozens of hauliers are driving from west Wales to Cardiff to protest at the rising cost of fuel. | |
| About 65 lorries gathered at Cross Hands near Llanelli before setting off along the M4 to hand in a petition. | |
| There had been plans for the convoy to head to the Welsh assembly in Cardiff Bay, but Conservatives said it would no longer go there on police advice. | |
| 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. |
| I fear that many businesses could soon find themselves struggling to make ends meet Andrew Davies, Conservative AM | I 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. | 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 left the Leekes car park and its leaders are due to hand a petition to Conservative AMs Nick Bourne and Andrew RT Davies in the car park of the Cardiff West services at junction 33 of the M4. | |
| Mr Davies, who speaks on transport for the Tories, 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." |