Hauliers threathen blockades over the soaring cost of fuel

The warning came as the price of crude oil hit a record high just fractionally short of $100 a barrel.

The hauliers called on the Government to ease their plight by slashing recent tax increases on petrol and diesel which have led to motorists paying more than £1 a litre.

As oil burst through $99 a barrel Mike Greene, from the South Wales Hauliers' Association, said hundreds of his colleagues are ready to begin direct action in an attempt to force the Government to cut duty on petrol and diesel.

Mr Greene, a key figure during the refinery blockades of 2000, warned that a new protest will be "bigger and better" than seven years ago.

"Bristol (hauliers) are ready to go, north Wales and Scotland are also ready to go," he declared.

"It's just a matter of tying up loose ends and saying, "Let's go for itî unless the Government is to make an announcement to drop fuel prices by 15p a litre.

"I can't see that happening, but we just want a level playing field with the foreign countries."

When asked if he had the backing of other hauliers, Mr Greene said: 'We haven't got a problem there at all."

Mr Greene said rising fuel prices are costing him an extra £5,000 a month to run his fleet of eight trucks when compared to January.

He added: "The way it is going, I'm going to have to lay two or three boys off between now and Christmas."

Rising world oil prices and a 2p Government increase in fuel duty brought in last month have led to average petrol prices breaking through the £1 a litre barrier for the first time.

Crude oil rose above $99 per barrel amid worries about inadequate winter supplies in the northern hemisphere and news of refinery problems. One analyst said: "The mythical $100 per barrel is within reach."

Allowing for inflation, crude prices are within the range of the highs set in early 1980.

Depending on how the adjustment is calculated, $38 a barrel then would be worth $96 to $103 or more today.

Simon Higgins, the Road Haulage Association area manager for Wales, said his members are not about to embark on militant action.

"They have strong views on the price of fuel but they don't intend, as a whole, to take part in blockades."