Fuel Protest Set For Wednesday

'Last ditch attempt' to stop businesses going under, say hauliers

By Oli S / Monday, 30 June 2008 / Loading comments

Hauliers from all over Britain are to descend on London again this week to protest against soaring fuel prices. The truckers say they are on the verge of being forced out of business and believe this will be the biggest display of industry unity in recent years.

Hauliers are planning both a convoy and a ‘foot’ lobby of Parliament and are hoping to meet ministers in the afternoon. Lorries will begin by making their way up the M40 Westway from 10.00hrs and in co-operation with the police will park on a specially sectioned part of the motorway.

Groups of between 20 and 30 vehicles will then be marshalled on the A40, starting from the Marylebone Road side of the flyover. From 10.30hrs, the first of these groups will be led en masse by a police motorcyclist down through the streets of the Capital to Westminster.

The first convoy is expected to cross Westminster Bridge (from the south side) at approximately 10.45. The planned route will be via Old Marylebone Rd, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Vauxhall Bridge Road, Vauxhall Bridge, Westminster Bridge and Victoria Embankment .

‘I am absolutely delighted that so many sections of the UK transport industry have united in such a positive way’, said Road Haulage Association national chairman Andy Boyle. ‘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, Wednesday will represent a last ditch attempt at making their voice heard.'

Peter Carroll, spokesman for Transaction, which is helping to organise the protest, added: ‘Our industry is being driven out of business. Continental hauliers are able to run in the UK using cheaper fuel from abroad. The Government needs to realize that the surge in Oil prices has changed the world. It is madness to insist on charging the highest level of fuel duty in the EU on top of a world price that has rocketed.’