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Hauliers' convoy in fuel protest Hauliers' convoy in fuel protest
(about 3 hours later)
A two-mile convoy of more than 150 lorries has travelled from west Wales to Cardiff to protest at fuel costs.A two-mile convoy of more than 150 lorries has travelled from west Wales to Cardiff to protest at fuel costs.
M4 traffic was either at a standstill or crawling along at about 5 mph as hauliers drove from Carmarthenshire. Organisers claimed they would blockade refineries unless fuel duty was cut within seven days.
Plans to head to the Welsh assembly in Cardiff Bay to hand in a petition were changed after negotiations with police.Plans to head to the Welsh assembly in Cardiff Bay to hand in a petition were changed after negotiations with police.
Both UK and assembly governments said they understood the pressures brought by rising fuel costs, and the Treasury said it was addressing the situation.Both UK and assembly governments said they understood the pressures brought by rising fuel costs, and the Treasury said it was addressing the situation.
It is part of a day of fuel price protests across the UK, including a convoy which headed to Downing Street. It was part of a day of fuel price protests across the UK, including a convoy which headed to Downing Street.
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 two pence rise in fuel duty.
They are calling for an "essential user" rebate of between 20p and 25p per litre for HGV drivers. The convoy stretched for two miles along the M4
I fear that many businesses could soon find themselves struggling to make ends meet Andrew RT Davies, Conservative AM They are calling for an "essential user" rebate of between 20 and 25 pence per litre for HGV drivers.
Organiser Mike Green said before they headed off: "We've got coaches, taxi drivers and 'Joe Public' in cars coming along. Organiser Mike Greene said the hauliers are giving Gordon Brown a deadline of a week to cut fuel duty by between 20 to 25 pence per litre - or they will blockade refineries.
"Anyone can come and join in," he said. Speaking on the BBC News Channel, Mr Greene claimed hauliers across the country feel the same.
South Wales Police, Gwent Police and Dyfed-Powys Police were all monitoring the protest, with the drivers told to keep to a minimum of 40mph, and their vehicles were confined to one lane of the motorway. The protest, which was over by mid-afternoon, saw M4 eastbound traffic at a standstill or crawling along at about 5 mph as hauliers drove from Carmarthenshire.
Police allowed a maximum of 50 vehicles to enter the car park of the Cardiff West services at junction 33 of the M4 after an agreement was reached with the hauliers to avoid going into the city. A maximum of 50 vehicles entered the Cardiff West services car park at junction 33 of the M4 after an agreement was reached with the hauliers to avoid going into the city.
The rest of the convoy was told it would have to continue along the M4 to Magor, where it would turn around and head back towards Carmarthenshire. A petition was handed to Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservatives in the Welsh assembly, and Tory AM and transport spokesman Andrew RT Davies.
Hauliers who were not part of the convoy gathered at the services and presented their petition to Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservatives in the Welsh assembly, and Tory AM and transport spokesman Andrew RT Davies. After the protest, South Wales Police said a driver from the convoy was issued with a warning for a public order offence after leaving his vehicle on the motorway and urinating on the hard shoulder.
People will have to stop working sooner or later because there's no point working for a loss Martin Arthur, owner of haulage firmPeople will have to stop working sooner or later because there's no point working for a loss Martin Arthur, owner of haulage firm
Martin Arthur, 54, who was at the services and who owns a haulage firm in Usk, said: "The cost of diesel is going up almost every day. We're just handing all our money over.Martin Arthur, 54, who was at the services and who owns a haulage firm in Usk, said: "The cost of diesel is going up almost every day. We're just handing all our money over.
"People will have to stop working sooner or later because there's no point working for a loss.""People will have to stop working sooner or later because there's no point working for a loss."
Public transport
Dave Lasky, of Bob Gay Plant Hire, Llantwit Fardre, said: "I wanted to come today because I'm only 24 and it's affecting me more than the older guys.Dave Lasky, of Bob Gay Plant Hire, Llantwit Fardre, said: "I wanted to come today because I'm only 24 and it's affecting me more than the older guys.
"I've got other bills to pay, and I've to pay for my car. Something has to be done or I will lose my job.""I've got other bills to pay, and I've to pay for my car. Something has to be done or I will lose my job."
South Wales Police assistant chief constable Dave Morris said: "Negotiations between South Wales Police, the assembly government and the protest organisers means that the city centre will not be seriously affected by today's events.
"Our role has always been to facilitate a peaceful protest, but to ensure where possible that any adverse impact on the public and everyday business is kept to a minimum. This is a solution which best fulfils the objectives of all parties involved.
'Struggling'
"However, some disruption will be inevitable so we would advise motorists to consider taking alternative routes as the convoy may lead to delays throughout the day," he added.
Tory AM Mr Davies 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."
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."
The assembly government said: "The price of fuel - and the duties imposed on it by the UK government - are not the responsibility of the assembly government.The assembly government said: "The price of fuel - and the duties imposed on it by the UK government - are not the responsibility of the assembly government.
"However, we understand and are concerned about the impact that the increase in fuel costs is having on the haulage industry and on transport services and individual motorists in Wales, and we are raising these concerns with the UK government." The spokesman said, however, the issue would be raised with the UK government because of the impact on the haulage industry, transport services and individual motorists in Wales.
Mike Childs, Friends of the Earth's Head of Campaigns, said despite fuel price rises, the overall cost of motoring has gone down in real terms - but the cost of public transport has risen.
He said: "Rising oil prices and the impending threat from global climate change mean the government must take urgent action to ensure our addiction to oil doesn't set us on the road to ruin.
"Government must fast track investment in public transport and backing for smarter cars that use less petrol so our society is not held to ransom by our reliance on a dwindling and insecure natural resource," he added.