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Lorry drivers stage fuel protest Hauliers' convoy in fuel protest
(about 2 hours later)
Dozens of hauliers are driving from west Wales to Cardiff to protest at the rising cost of fuel. A two-mile convoy of over 150 lorries is heading from west Wales to Cardiff to protest at rising fuel costs.
About 65 lorries gathered at Cross Hands near Llanelli before setting off along the M4 to hand in a petition. M4 traffic was either at a standstill or crawling along at about 5 mph as hauliers drove from Carmarthenshire.
There had been plans for the convoy to head to the Welsh assembly in Cardiff Bay, but Conservatives said it would no longer go there on police advice. Plans to head to the Welsh assembly in Cardiff Bay to hand in a petition were changed after negotiations with police.
The action is part of a day of protests across the UK, including a convoy of lorries heading for Downing Street. Both UK and assembly governments said they understood the pressures brought by rising fuel costs, and the Treasury said it was addressing the situation.
The UK government said it understood the pressures brought by rising fuel costs and was addressing the situation. It is part of a day of fuel price protests across the UK, including a convoy which headed to Downing Street.
The organisers of the Welsh protest said haulage firms were being driven to the wall by the high cost of diesel and a planned 2p rise in fuel duty.The organisers of the Welsh protest said haulage firms were being driven to the wall by the high cost of diesel and a planned 2p rise in fuel duty.
They are calling for an "essential user" rebate of between 20p and 25p per litre for HGV drivers.They are calling for an "essential user" rebate of between 20p and 25p per litre for HGV drivers.
I fear that many businesses could soon find themselves struggling to make ends meet Andrew Davies, Conservative AM I fear that many businesses could soon find themselves struggling to make ends meet Andrew RT Davies, Conservative AM
Organiser Mike Green said about 100 lorry drivers had signed up to take part in the demonstration and he expected others to join in on the day. Organiser Mike Green said before they headed off: "We've got coaches, taxi drivers and 'Joe Public' in cars coming along.
"We've got coaches, taxi drivers and 'Joe Public' in cars coming along. Anyone can come and join in," he said. "Anyone can come and join in," he said.
The convoy left the Leekes car park and its leaders are due to hand a petition to Conservative AMs Nick Bourne and Andrew RT Davies in the car park of the Cardiff West services at junction 33 of the M4. South Wales Police, Gwent Police and Dyfed-Powys Police were all monitoring the protest, with the drivers told to keep to a minimum of 40mph, and their vehicles were confined to one lane of the motorway.
Mr Davies, who speaks on transport for the Tories, said: "Spiralling fuel costs are hurting haulage companies across Wales and the rest of the UK. Police were allowing a maximum of 50 vehicles to enter the car park of the Cardiff West services at junction 33 of the M4 after an agreement was reached with the hauliers to avoid going into the city.
There the hauliers were presenting their petition to Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservatives in the Welsh assembly.
The rest of the convoy was told it would have to continue along the M4 to Magor, where it would turn around and head back towards Carmarthenshire.
Our role has always been to facilitate a peaceful protest, but to ensure where possible that any adverse impact on the public and everyday business is kept to a minimum South Wales Police assistant chief constable Dave Morris
South Wales Police assistant chief constable Dave Morris said: "Negotiations between South Wales Police, the assembly government and the protest organisers means that the city centre will not be seriously affected by today's events.
"Our role has always been to facilitate a peaceful protest, but to ensure where possible that any adverse impact on the public and everyday business is kept to a minimum. This is a solution which best fulfils the objectives of all parties involved."
"However, some disruption will be inevitable so we would advise motorists to consider taking alternative routes as the convoy may lead to delays throughout the day," he added.
Conservative AM and transport spokesman Andrew RT Davies said: "Spiralling fuel costs are hurting haulage companies across Wales and the rest of the UK.
"Unless there is some reprieve in the near future, I fear that many businesses could soon find themselves struggling to make ends meet.""Unless there is some reprieve in the near future, I fear that many businesses could soon find themselves struggling to make ends meet."
A Treasury spokesperson said fuel prices had risen by more than 19% since this time last year.A Treasury spokesperson said fuel prices had risen by more than 19% since this time last year.
The spokesman said: "To respond to short-term pressures, the 2008 Budget announced that the 2p per litre fuel duty increase, scheduled for 1 April, will be deferred until 1 October."The spokesman said: "To respond to short-term pressures, the 2008 Budget announced that the 2p per litre fuel duty increase, scheduled for 1 April, will be deferred until 1 October."
The assembly government said: "The price of fuel - and the duties imposed on it by the UK government - are not the responsibility of the assembly government.
"However, we understand and are concerned about the impact that the increase in fuel costs is having on the haulage industry and on transport services and individual motorists in Wales, and we intend to raise these concerns with the UK government."