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Hauliers protest over fuel prices Hauliers protest over fuel prices
(20 minutes later)
Hundreds of hauliers have arrived in London to demonstrate against the rising cost of fuel. Hundreds of hauliers have travelled to London to demonstrate against the rising cost of fuel.
Lorries are parking up on the A40 which has been partly closed. Some are travelling in police-led convoys into the heart of the city. Some drivers parked their lorries up on the A40, which has been partly closed for the day. Others drove into the heart of the city with a police escort.
A group of drivers has also gathered on foot for a rally in Westminster. Their last demonstration in May caused major traffic disruption. A group of protestors also gathered for a rally in Westminster. So far there are no reports of major traffic disruption.
They are demanding a 25p-in-the-pound tax rebate on diesel. The drivers are demanding a diesel tax rebate of 25p in the pound .
The protest coincides with a debate in Parliament on the controversial increase in vehicle excise duty planned by Chancellor Alastair Darling.The protest coincides with a debate in Parliament on the controversial increase in vehicle excise duty planned by Chancellor Alastair Darling.
The average price of diesel is now £1.32 per litre and hauliers say this leaves them with fuel bills of up to £1,000 per week for a typical articulated lorry. The average price of diesel is now £1.32 per litre.
'Last-ditch attempt' Hauliers say this leaves them with fuel bills of up to £1,000 per week for a typical articulated lorry.
Lorry drivers gathered at Medway Services in Kent on Wednesday morning before setting off along the M2 towards the capital at about 0800 BST. The convoy included vehicles from as far away as Cornwall and North Yorkshire. Many complain that they may be driven out of business because of competition from drivers from other European countries, where fuel is cheaper.
A second convoy set off from Gateway Services on the M1. Advertisement The UK road haulage industry is not in trouble, it is facing a catastrophe Peter CarollTransAction 2007 class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7484478.stm">MPs gear up for car tax challenge class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7485204.stm">In pictures: Hauliers' fuel demo class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7485692.stm">Hauliers take case to Westminster
One trucker explains why he is protesting Previous demonstrations this year were not endorsed by the Road Haulage Association (RHA). However this time the organisation is joining in the action, claiming the entire UK economy is at risk from rising fuel costs.
Previous demonstrations this year were not endorsed by the the Road Haulage Association (RHA), but this time the organisation is joining in the action, claiming the entire UK economy is at risk from rising fuel costs. National RHA chairman Andy Boyle said: "If ever there was positive proof that ours is an industry in crisis, then this surely must be it.
National chairman of the RHA Andy Boyle said: "If ever there was positive proof that ours is an industry in crisis then this surely must be it.
"The harsh reality is that the price of fuel is now forcing many hauliers out of business. For many, today will represent a last-ditch attempt at making their voice heard.""The harsh reality is that the price of fuel is now forcing many hauliers out of business. For many, today will represent a last-ditch attempt at making their voice heard."
Part of the London-bound A40 will be closed from 1000 to 1600 BST. The Metropolitan Police said about 200 lorries had arrived by 1245 BST. 'Last-ditch attempt'
From 1030 BST, groups of lorries about 20 lorries are being led by police motorcycle into the heart of London, travelling via Marble Arch, Vauxhall Bridge and Westminster Bridge and ending up on Victoria Embankment. The UK road haulage industry is not in trouble, it is facing a catastrophe Peter CarollTransAction 2007 class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7484478.stm">MPs gear up for car tax challenge class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7485204.stm">In pictures: Hauliers' fuel demo Lorry drivers gathered at Medway Services in Kent on Wednesday morning before setting off along the M2 towards the capital at about 0800 BST. The convoy included vehicles from Cornwall and North Yorkshire.
Drivers and supporters have also gathered for a "foot lobby" outside the Houses of Parliament. A second convoy set off from Gateway Services on the M1.
I have a wife and four children of my own. If I can't make any money running my own lorries, I will have to pack up and go and work for someone else Paul Prout, haulier
Part of the London-bound A40 will be until 1600 BST. The Metropolitan Police said about 230 lorries had arrived by 1330 BST.
During the morning, police on motorcycles escorted groups of 20 lorries into the centre of London, travelling via Marble Arch, Vauxhall Bridge and Westminster Bridge to Victoria Embankment.
Meanwhile, drivers and their supporters gathered for a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament.
Peter Caroll, owner of Seymour Transport and member of lobby group TransAction 2007, told the BBC that British hauliers could not compete with foreign rivals.Peter Caroll, owner of Seymour Transport and member of lobby group TransAction 2007, told the BBC that British hauliers could not compete with foreign rivals.
"We are under mortal threat. The UK road haulage industry is not in trouble, it is facing a catastrophe," he said. He said: "We are under mortal threat. The UK road haulage industry is not in trouble, it is facing a catastrophe," he said.
"The most important reason for that catastrophe is that continental hauliers pay, on average, 25p per litre less in fuel duty than we do. We pay the highest in the EU.""The most important reason for that catastrophe is that continental hauliers pay, on average, 25p per litre less in fuel duty than we do. We pay the highest in the EU."
Hauliers want to be given an essential user rebate of between 20 and 25p. Hauliers are calling for an "essential user rebate" of between 20 and 25p.
'Very sad''Very sad'
One of the first drivers to arrive in the capital was Paul Prout, 34, who operates five lorries based in Melksham, Wiltshire.One of the first drivers to arrive in the capital was Paul Prout, 34, who operates five lorries based in Melksham, Wiltshire.
He said: "It's all very sad. I've just learned that one of my drivers has had a baby, but I can't afford to run the business just to keep him in a job.He said: "It's all very sad. I've just learned that one of my drivers has had a baby, but I can't afford to run the business just to keep him in a job.
"I have a wife and four children of my own. If I can't make any money running my own lorries, I will have to pack up and go and work for someone else." The government, which takes massive amounts of money, perhaps £40bn a year in duty, VAT and North Sea taxation, has an obligation to put some back Stuart Hosie, SNP "I have a wife and four children of my own. If I can't make any money running my own lorries, I will have to pack up and go and work for someone else."
Another driver, Mike Wright, 61, from the Heathrow-based Roy Bowles company, said "wildcat protests" could be the next step all across the country.Another driver, Mike Wright, 61, from the Heathrow-based Roy Bowles company, said "wildcat protests" could be the next step all across the country.
One trucker explains why he is protesting
"They will block every motorway in the country and then the government might listen," he said."They will block every motorway in the country and then the government might listen," he said.
Police say about 300 lorries took part in the protest in May, and organisers of Wednesday's event say more are expected this time. The protest has sparked calls from environmentalists for alternative fuel-efficient ways of transporting goods.
Stuart Hosie MP, from the Scottish National Party, told protesters gathered outside Parliament that ministers could and should help those struggling because of rising fuel prices. Greenpeace executive director John Sauvene told the BBC: "There are a number of things where measures could be put in place to help the road hauliers.
"The government, which takes massive amounts of money, perhaps £40bn a year in duty, VAT and North Sea taxation, has an obligation to put some back," he said. "I think it's also in terms of actually how the transport of goods around are country is dealt with. Including, for example, putting more goods onto trains, onto canals."
"Not just to help the hauliers, [but also] the farmers, the fishermen and the hard-pressed families across the country paying £30 or £40 a month more to fill up their cars."
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