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Fuel protest causes road misery Fuel protest causes road misery
(10 minutes later)
A protest by hundreds of lorry drivers and farmers over the price of fuel has caused traffic chaos for holidaymakers.A protest by hundreds of lorry drivers and farmers over the price of fuel has caused traffic chaos for holidaymakers.
A convoy of lorries and tractors is travelling slowly along the A30 in Cornwall between Hayle to Launceston.A convoy of lorries and tractors is travelling slowly along the A30 in Cornwall between Hayle to Launceston.
The drivers' action comes at the end of the Whitsun half-term break, when thousands of people are trying to leave the county to go home.The drivers' action comes at the end of the Whitsun half-term break, when thousands of people are trying to leave the county to go home.
A separate fuel price protest on the A30 between Launceston and Lifton in Devon has also taken place.A separate fuel price protest on the A30 between Launceston and Lifton in Devon has also taken place.
A BBC Radio Cornwall reporter at the scene of the main protest said the convoy was travelling at less than 10mph and traffic appeared to be gridlocked.A BBC Radio Cornwall reporter at the scene of the main protest said the convoy was travelling at less than 10mph and traffic appeared to be gridlocked.
There's just lorries as far as the eye can see Pete Atkinson, eyewitnessThere's just lorries as far as the eye can see Pete Atkinson, eyewitness
"On just about every slipway and bridge there's another bunch of lorries waiting to join," Michael Taylor said."On just about every slipway and bridge there's another bunch of lorries waiting to join," Michael Taylor said.
Neil Hart, who operates a haulage company in Pool, Redruth, with 22 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) took part in the protest because he could no longer afford the fuel prices.Neil Hart, who operates a haulage company in Pool, Redruth, with 22 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) took part in the protest because he could no longer afford the fuel prices.
"In the past year it's cost £200,000 more in diesel," he said."In the past year it's cost £200,000 more in diesel," he said.
"That's about £16,000 a month extra and we just can't pass any more on to our customers."That's about £16,000 a month extra and we just can't pass any more on to our customers.
"What we need is a rebate of 25p per litre.""What we need is a rebate of 25p per litre."
Bill Harper, one of the organisers of the Devon protest, said although he was not planning to lay anybody off, he was worried about the situation.Bill Harper, one of the organisers of the Devon protest, said although he was not planning to lay anybody off, he was worried about the situation.
'Sharp message' 'Message to government'
He owns an animal feed business in Holsworthy and is responsible for more than 30 vehicles.He owns an animal feed business in Holsworthy and is responsible for more than 30 vehicles.
Mr Harper said the Devon protest was beginning to disperse, but about 250 drivers had sent a "short, sharp message" to the government.Mr Harper said the Devon protest was beginning to disperse, but about 250 drivers had sent a "short, sharp message" to the government.
"I'm pleased because the response from the public has been very supportive, despite the tailbacks," he said."I'm pleased because the response from the public has been very supportive, despite the tailbacks," he said.
Motorist Pete Atkinson said: "Looking from the bridge at Launceston towards Lifton, there's just lorries as far as the eye can see.Motorist Pete Atkinson said: "Looking from the bridge at Launceston towards Lifton, there's just lorries as far as the eye can see.
"No-one's going anywhere fast.""No-one's going anywhere fast."
Devon and Cornwall Police drivers could delay their journeys until later in the afternoon or use alternative A roads to avoid the protests.Devon and Cornwall Police drivers could delay their journeys until later in the afternoon or use alternative A roads to avoid the protests.
A police spokesman said the situation was currently being monitored and the convoy was being kept to a single lane to allow other road users to pass.A police spokesman said the situation was currently being monitored and the convoy was being kept to a single lane to allow other road users to pass.
An owner of holiday cottages in Cornwall, who did not want to be named, told the BBC some of his guests were upset at the timing of the protest.An owner of holiday cottages in Cornwall, who did not want to be named, told the BBC some of his guests were upset at the timing of the protest.
'Bad experience''Bad experience'
"The weather hasn't been brilliant this week, but most people have still had a lovely holiday," he said."The weather hasn't been brilliant this week, but most people have still had a lovely holiday," he said.
"I understand why the lorry drivers are protesting, but at the same time I worry that if holidaymakers have a really bad experience going home, it might make them think twice about coming back to Cornwall.""I understand why the lorry drivers are protesting, but at the same time I worry that if holidaymakers have a really bad experience going home, it might make them think twice about coming back to Cornwall."
Earlier this week, hundreds of road hauliers staged fuel protests in London and Cardiff.Earlier this week, hundreds of road hauliers staged fuel protests in London and Cardiff.
They have said businesses are being driven to the wall by the high cost of diesel and have called on the government to abandon a planned 2p rise in fuel duty.They have said businesses are being driven to the wall by the high cost of diesel and have called on the government to abandon a planned 2p rise in fuel duty.