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Truckers in diesel price protest Truckers in diesel price protest
(20 minutes later)
Lorry drivers protesting against the "rocketing" price of diesel have arrived in a convoy in central London.Lorry drivers protesting against the "rocketing" price of diesel have arrived in a convoy in central London.
Dozens of vehicles are converging in Park Lane in protest at a 30% rise in diesel pump prices in 12 months.Dozens of vehicles are converging in Park Lane in protest at a 30% rise in diesel pump prices in 12 months.
Organisers are to present a coffin to the Houses of Parliament to represent hundreds of haulage firms they say have gone bankrupt as a result. The Organisers presented a coffin to the Houses of Parliament to represent hundreds of haulage firms they say have gone bankrupt as a result.
It follows a 48-hour strike at Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland in a dispute over pension changes.It follows a 48-hour strike at Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland in a dispute over pension changes.
Tuesday's protest has been organised by TransAction 2007, one of the groups behind fuel protests in 2000 which caused 90% of petrol stations to run dry.Tuesday's protest has been organised by TransAction 2007, one of the groups behind fuel protests in 2000 which caused 90% of petrol stations to run dry.
'Lifeblood of economy''Lifeblood of economy'
The convoy started off in Kent and headed up M2 motorway into the capital.The convoy started off in Kent and headed up M2 motorway into the capital.
Organisers said fuel for a typical articulated lorry now costs up to £1,000 per week.Organisers said fuel for a typical articulated lorry now costs up to £1,000 per week.
The problem was exacerbated by foreign hauliers who arrive in the UK "full to the brim with cheaper fuel", spokesman Mike Presneill said.The problem was exacerbated by foreign hauliers who arrive in the UK "full to the brim with cheaper fuel", spokesman Mike Presneill said.
"Our industry is the lifeblood of the UK economy," he added."Our industry is the lifeblood of the UK economy," he added.
"Fuel is rising on a daily basis. It is now at levels that are bankrupting hundreds of small and medium-sized haulage companies. We just don't know whether our jobs are going to be safe Driver Mick Clifton
"These are the companies that have been built up through hard work often over generations," Mr Presneill added. "Fuel is rising on a daily basis. It is now at levels that are bankrupting hundreds of small and medium-sized haulage companies."
"The government is standing by and watching this happen." First to arrive was driver Mick Clifton, 37, who works for the JS Cook company based at Moulton Chapel in Lincolnshire.
Protesters will hand a letter summarising their grievances to the Houses of Parliament, together with a copy of the 2005 Burns Inquiry. He said: "The price of fuel at the moment is ridiculous. We just don't know whether our jobs are going to be safe.
"If Gordon Brown doesn't do something about this soon he'll be out of office."
Peaceful protest
The Road Haulage Association's chief executive Roger King has urged the government to abandon plans to raise fuel duty by 2p next October.
He said: "We support a peaceful and legal protest and that is what this is. We think such an exercise helps underscore the real feelings hauliers have."
Protesters have also handed a letter summarising their grievances to the Houses of Parliament, together with a copy of the 2005 Burns Inquiry.
The independent inquiry into the effect of fuel taxation found that the level of diesel duty in the UK was higher than the average EU rate.The independent inquiry into the effect of fuel taxation found that the level of diesel duty in the UK was higher than the average EU rate.

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