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| Hauliers protest over fuel prices | Hauliers protest over fuel prices |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of hauliers have travelled to London to demonstrate against the rising cost of fuel. | Hundreds of hauliers have travelled to London to demonstrate against the rising cost of fuel. |
| Some drivers parked their lorries up on the A40, which has been partly closed for the day. Others drove into the heart of the city with a police escort. | Some drivers parked their lorries up on the A40, which has been partly closed for the day. Others drove into the heart of the city with a police escort. |
| A group of protestors also gathered for a rally in Westminster. So far there are no reports of major traffic disruption. | A group of protestors also gathered for a rally in Westminster. So far there are no reports of major traffic disruption. |
| The drivers are demanding a diesel tax rebate of 25p in the pound. | |
| The protest coincides with a debate in Parliament on the controversial increase in vehicle excise duty planned by Chancellor Alastair Darling. | The protest coincides with a debate in Parliament on the controversial increase in vehicle excise duty planned by Chancellor Alastair Darling. |
| The average price of diesel is now £1.32 per litre. | The average price of diesel is now £1.32 per litre. |
| Hauliers say this leaves them with fuel bills of up to £1,000 per week for a typical articulated lorry. | Hauliers say this leaves them with fuel bills of up to £1,000 per week for a typical articulated lorry. |
| Many complain that they may be driven out of business because of competition from drivers from other European countries, where fuel is cheaper. | Many complain that they may be driven out of business because of competition from drivers from other European countries, where fuel is cheaper. |
| The UK road haulage industry is not in trouble, it is facing a catastrophe Peter CarollTransAction 2007 MPs gear up for car tax challengeIn pictures: Hauliers' fuel demoHauliers take case to Westminster | The UK road haulage industry is not in trouble, it is facing a catastrophe Peter CarollTransAction 2007 MPs gear up for car tax challengeIn pictures: Hauliers' fuel demoHauliers take case to Westminster |
| Previous demonstrations this year were not endorsed by the Road Haulage Association (RHA). However this time the organisation is joining in the action, claiming the entire UK economy is at risk from rising fuel costs. | Previous demonstrations this year were not endorsed by the Road Haulage Association (RHA). However this time the organisation is joining in the action, claiming the entire UK economy is at risk from rising fuel costs. |
| National RHA chairman Andy Boyle said: "If ever there was positive proof that ours is an industry in crisis, then this surely must be it. | National RHA chairman Andy Boyle said: "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, today will represent a last-ditch attempt at making their voice heard." | "The harsh reality is that the price of fuel is now forcing many hauliers out of business. For many, today will represent a last-ditch attempt at making their voice heard." |
| 'Last-ditch attempt' | 'Last-ditch attempt' |
| Lorry drivers gathered at Medway Services in Kent on Wednesday morning before setting off along the M2 towards the capital at about 0800 BST. The convoy included vehicles from Cornwall and North Yorkshire. | Lorry drivers gathered at Medway Services in Kent on Wednesday morning before setting off along the M2 towards the capital at about 0800 BST. The convoy included vehicles from Cornwall and North Yorkshire. |
| A second convoy set off from Gateway Services on the M1. | A second convoy set off from Gateway Services on the M1. |
| I have a wife and four children of my own. If I can't make any money running my own lorries, I will have to pack up and go and work for someone else Paul Prout, haulier | I have a wife and four children of my own. If I can't make any money running my own lorries, I will have to pack up and go and work for someone else Paul Prout, haulier |
| Part of the London-bound A40 will be until 1600 BST. The Metropolitan Police said about 230 lorries had arrived by 1330 BST. | Part of the London-bound A40 will be until 1600 BST. The Metropolitan Police said about 230 lorries had arrived by 1330 BST. |
| During the morning, police on motorcycles escorted groups of 20 lorries into the centre of London, travelling via Marble Arch, Vauxhall Bridge and Westminster Bridge to Victoria Embankment. | During the morning, police on motorcycles escorted groups of 20 lorries into the centre of London, travelling via Marble Arch, Vauxhall Bridge and Westminster Bridge to Victoria Embankment. |
| Meanwhile, drivers and their supporters gathered for a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament. | Meanwhile, drivers and their supporters gathered for a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament. |
| Peter Caroll, owner of Seymour Transport and member of lobby group TransAction 2007, told the BBC that British hauliers could not compete with foreign rivals. | Peter Caroll, owner of Seymour Transport and member of lobby group TransAction 2007, told the BBC that British hauliers could not compete with foreign rivals. |
| He said: "We are under mortal threat. The UK road haulage industry is not in trouble, it is facing a catastrophe," he said. | He said: "We are under mortal threat. The UK road haulage industry is not in trouble, it is facing a catastrophe," he said. |
| "The most important reason for that catastrophe is that continental hauliers pay, on average, 25p per litre less in fuel duty than we do. We pay the highest in the EU." | "The most important reason for that catastrophe is that continental hauliers pay, on average, 25p per litre less in fuel duty than we do. We pay the highest in the EU." |
| Hauliers are calling for an "essential user rebate" of between 20 and 25p. | Hauliers are calling for an "essential user rebate" of between 20 and 25p. |
| 'Very sad' | 'Very sad' |
| One of the first drivers to arrive in the capital was Paul Prout, 34, who operates five lorries based in Melksham, Wiltshire. | One of the first drivers to arrive in the capital was Paul Prout, 34, who operates five lorries based in Melksham, Wiltshire. |
| He said: "It's all very sad. I've just learned that one of my drivers has had a baby, but I can't afford to run the business just to keep him in a job. | He said: "It's all very sad. I've just learned that one of my drivers has had a baby, but I can't afford to run the business just to keep him in a job. |
| "I have a wife and four children of my own. If I can't make any money running my own lorries, I will have to pack up and go and work for someone else." | "I have a wife and four children of my own. If I can't make any money running my own lorries, I will have to pack up and go and work for someone else." |
| Another driver, Mike Wright, 61, from the Heathrow-based Roy Bowles company, said "wildcat protests" could be the next step all across the country. | Another driver, Mike Wright, 61, from the Heathrow-based Roy Bowles company, said "wildcat protests" could be the next step all across the country. |
| One trucker explains why he is protesting | One trucker explains why he is protesting |
| "They will block every motorway in the country and then the government might listen," he said. | "They will block every motorway in the country and then the government might listen," he said. |
| The protest has sparked calls from environmentalists for alternative fuel-efficient ways of transporting goods. | The protest has sparked calls from environmentalists for alternative fuel-efficient ways of transporting goods. |
| Greenpeace executive director John Sauvene told the BBC: "There are a number of things where measures could be put in place to help the road hauliers. | Greenpeace executive director John Sauvene told the BBC: "There are a number of things where measures could be put in place to help the road hauliers. |
| "I think it's also in terms of actually how the transport of goods around are country is dealt with. Including, for example, putting more goods onto trains, onto canals." | "I think it's also in terms of actually how the transport of goods around are country is dealt with. Including, for example, putting more goods onto trains, onto canals." |
| Are you a lorry driver? Will you be attending the protest? Send us your comments using the form below: | Are you a lorry driver? Will you be attending the protest? Send us your comments using the form below: |
| You can send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | You can send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |