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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Fuel protest causes road misery | Fuel protest causes road misery |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| More than 300 lorry drivers and farmers caused traffic chaos for holidaymakers by staging a protest over fuel prices. | 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 travelled at less than 10mph along the A30 in Cornwall between Hayle to Launceston and back again. | 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' six-hour action coincided with the end of the Whitsun half-term break, when thousands of people were trying to return from holiday. | 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 protest also took place on the Devon and Cornwall border. | A separate protest also took place on the Devon and Cornwall border. |
| Many motorists sounded their car horns as they passed the convoy and members of the public stood cheering on some bridges above the road. | Many motorists sounded their car horns as they passed the convoy and members of the public stood cheering on some bridges above the road. |
| A BBC Radio Cornwall reporter at the scene of the main protest said the slow-moving convoy resulted in traffic gridlock in the morning. | 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. |
| There's just lorries as far as the eye can see Pete Atkinson, eyewitness | |
| "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. |
| 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. |
| Traffic tailbacks | |
| 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 despite traffic tailbacks, the protest passed off peacefully, with no incidents reported. | Devon and Cornwall Police said despite traffic tailbacks, the protest passed off peacefully, with no incidents reported. |
| A spokesman said the convoy was kept to a single lane where possible 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. |
| The protest, which was due to finish at lunchtime, continued until about 1530 BST. | The protest, which was due to finish at lunchtime, continued until about 1530 BST. |
| 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. |
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| The protest coincided with holidaymakers returning from Whitsun breaks |