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Fuel protest causes road misery Fuel protest causes road misery
(about 4 hours later)
A protest by hundreds of lorry drivers and farmers over the price of fuel has caused traffic chaos for holidaymakers. More than 300 lorry drivers and farmers caused traffic chaos for holidaymakers by staging a protest over fuel prices.
A convoy of lorries and tractors is travelling slowly along the A30 in Cornwall between Hayle to Launceston. A convoy of lorries and tractors travelled at less than 10mph along the A30 in Cornwall between Hayle to Launceston and back again.
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' six-hour action coincided with the end of the Whitsun half-term break, when thousands of people were trying to return from holiday.
A separate fuel price protest on the A30 between Launceston and Lifton in Devon has also taken place. A separate protest also took place on the Devon and Cornwall border.
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. Many motorists sounded their car horns as they passed the convoy and members of the public stood cheering on some bridges above the road.
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
A BBC Radio Cornwall reporter at the scene of the main protest said the slow-moving convoy resulted in traffic gridlock in the morning.
"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.
'Message to government' The lorries were cheered by members of the public on bridges
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 said drivers could delay their journeys until later in the afternoon or use alternative A roads to avoid the protests. Devon and Cornwall Police said despite traffic tailbacks, the protest passed off peacefully, with no incidents reported.
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 spokesman said the convoy was kept to a single lane where possible 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. The protest, which was due to finish at lunchtime, continued until about 1530 BST.
'Bad experience'
"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."
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.