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Truckers block roads in fuel price protest
Amar Singh, Media Correspondent27.05.08
More than 300 lorries descended on central London today in protest against rising fuel costs.
In the largest protest of its kind in the capital, hauliers drove into the city from across the UK and converged near Marble Arch.
British haulage firms are calling for the introduction of a rebate which would allow HGV drivers to claim back some of the fuel duty and have parity with bus companies.
They also want Gordon Brown to shelve a 2p increase in fuel duty and a planned hike in road tax.
This mass demonstration turned large swathes of the West End into a virtual car park as roads around the Paddington area were closed.
The London-bound A40 carriageway between White City and Edgware Road was closed from 10am to 3pm as the demonstrators parked their vehicles on the normally busy road.
A six-member delegation, representing the protesters, handed in a letter at 10 Downing Street calling for the Essential User Rebate.
The price of fuel has increased by more than 30 per cent since January, and average petrol and diesel prices have hit 114p and 126p a litre respectively.
British lorry drivers have complained that foreign haulage companies are capitalising by filling up abroad and working in the UK during the week.
Peter Carroll, spokesman for Transaction 2007, said: “If we don't get a rebate, then an industry that creates thousands of jobs could be wiped out.
“Our trade associations have been pathetic in putting forward a robust case on our behalf so we felt that this was the best option. We feel that the British motorist will empathise with us as everyone's been hit now. It costs us £1,000 a week to fill up and that is just unsustainable for the whole industry."
Motorists in the area had mixed views about the protest. Pedro Carvalhoa businessman from Kensal Green said: “I completely support them. The Government is bleeding dry the motorist and the hauliers at the end of the day are being hit the hardest."
Engineer Anil Sharma was forced to take a 30-minute detour en route to his office in Perivale due to the protest.
He said: "We are all upset about the cost of petrol, but they won't win much support from normal drivers if they jam up our roads on a working day."
The Government is also coming under pressure about its plan to increase road tax for vehicles registered since 2001 which emit higher levels of pollutants. Under Budget proposals, owners of the most polluting cars could face a tax rise of up to £200 a year.
Business secretary John Hutton said today that the Government would heed the demonstration. "The Chancellor has got to take all that into account. People have the right to protest."
The protest coincided with similar action by lorry drivers in Wales and Scotland. By midday, more than 100 lorries were protesting in Wales, travelling in a convoy down the M4 to present a petition to Nick Bourne, Tory leader on the Welsh Assembly.
WHAT THEY WANT
Why are British hauliers protesting?
British road users are enduring record fuel prices - with diesel costing more than 120p a litre. The Government takes about 60 per cent of the cost of fuel in tax. Buses get nearly all this back in rebates. Hauliers want a similar system to protect British firms from going out of business.
What do they want from the Government?
They are demanding an "essential user rebate" to allow HGV drivers to claim back some fuel duty, and for Chancellor Alistair Darling to scrap a proposed 2p rise in the duty. The Freight Transport Association wants diesel duty cut to the EU average.
Is there a genuine danger to the British haulage industry?
Rising oil prices have been exacerbated by the credit crunch. British hauliers say they are struggling to compete with foreign drivers who fill up for less on the Continent but work UK roads. A number of haulage firms have axed jobs.
What could happen?
If the Prime Minister and Mr Darling do not make at least some concessions, protests could escalate. There have been threats of disruptive action over summer, raising the prospect of a repeat of scenes from 2000, when lorry drivers and farmers blockaded fuel depots.
Reader views (9)
Wake up all your car drivers we're being stung yet again!
Why don't we the poor (as in monetary) car drivers mutineer the fuel stations for one day a week!
Aren't you sick to the teeth of it?
This country is too easy and "goes with the flow" for an easy quiet life.
Don't be sheep, shed that clothing and let the wolf out!
- Jill, kent
I don't support the hauliers or their claim for a 'fuel rebate'. At a time when there are more haulage and earth moving companies in the UK than ever before it must still be a very lucrative business. Most lorries spend half their time empty yet they bleat on about costs - well I'd be happy to see a few inefficient ones go to the wall if it meant fewer lorries on our roads. They are the worst noise and visual polluters of all. Paying the same price for their fuel as we all do should make them think about making their businesses more efficient by reducing unnecessary journeys. Fewer road miles = less pollution and reduced operating costs. That's the way we all benefit.
- David, Regents Park
I am a truck driver. I also run a 4.2 v8 range rover. I say stuff the environment. climate change is a naturally occurring, cyclical phenomenon. It is a complete rip-off to tax us 'to save the planet.' ********. Gordon Brown is pathetic, dithering and frightened. We all know his career is dead in the water. Bye bye, Gordon. And what a surprise (not) that it takes real men to do something about it. If you don't like it, Joe public, then sod off and catch a bus.
- Ian Stewart, leeds england
Good on the truckers - we're too resigned and lackadaisical here in the UK. In most other countries these taxes would mean serious civic unrest. In the US, they would lead to a revolution! Keep up the pressure you guys...
- Wpw, London
I wish the hauliers all the luck in the world. This rotten government of losers has no understanding of what it is like to run a business.
- Beth Williams, London W5
How many straws must this government place upon the countries back before it breaks! It seems simple, we really need to empower people to get to work not penalise those who do.
Our country is dependent on the roads infrastructure, are we to believe that the rail and public transport system can handle or even deliver any kind of effective alternative service to replace the car or lorry.
Good on the truckers we need more action and for longer in all areas and not just London. Those who govern find it too easy to ignore those they represent so let them here our contempt.
- Garry Moore, St Columb Major, Cornwall
Good Luck Truckers. Be careful that you don't get fined for "obstructive behaviour".
The majority of the country are with you, and wishing you success.
- Denise, London UK
I do not own or drive but when transport costs rise, the knock on effect is obvious. Nero fiddling while Rome burns?
- Mike Monaghan, London, UK
Whilst hardworking 'working class' people are being pounded with tax after tax, WHY are politicians still allowed to claim for every part of their lives (grass cutting, kitchen fitments, hairdressing, 2nd homes, cars etc)in their expense claims?
The greed and selfishness of these MPs is unbelievable yet they still continue to drain us of any bit of money we may still have after paying the long list of current 'taxes and charges' this government has thought up!
Isn't there anybody out there that can take them to task other than the British public at the next general election?
Hurrah to the lorry drivers I say - block the roads and bring the UK to a stand still, the French seem to achieve results with it so why not us??
- Linda B, Lanarkshire Scotland
