This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7484773.stm

The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 21 Version 22
Hauliers protest over fuel prices Hauliers protest over fuel prices
(about 2 hours later)
Hundreds of hauliers have travelled to London to demonstrate against the rising cost of diesel. Hundreds of hauliers have demonstrated in London against rising fuel prices.
Up to 230 lorries parked in a specially closed section of the A40, while others, escorted by police, drove into the heart of the city.Up to 230 lorries parked in a specially closed section of the A40, while others, escorted by police, drove into the heart of the city.
Protesters also gathered for a rally in Westminster. So far there are no reports of major traffic disruption. The drivers want a fuel tax rebate of about 25p in the pound, claiming many are being driven out of business.
The drivers want a fuel tax rebate of 25p in the pound. Otherwise, they say, many will be driven out of business. The government says it might postpone future fuel tax rises, but warns that a cut in current duty will hit spending in other areas of the economy.
The protest coincides with a debate in Parliament on the controversial increase in vehicle excise duty planned by Chancellor Alastair Darling. More demonstrations
The average price of diesel is now £1.32 per litre. The Road Haulage Association (RHA), which backed Wednesday's protest, said that the demonstrations would be repeated if the government refused to listen to its demands.
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.
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 WestminsterThe 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. A spokeswoman played down charges that fewer drivers than expected had responded to the protest call, saying "times were hard" and many drivers could not afford to take the day off.
Other drivers warned of future "wildcat" actions - like the haulage protests in 2000 which closed petrol stations throughout the UK.
Meanwhile MPs are debating another controversial measure affecting drivers - a rise in vehicle excise duty planned by Chancellor Alastair Darling, which has split Labour MPs.
Driven out
With the average price of diesel calculated at £1.32 per litre, hauliers say this leaves them with fuel bills of up to £1,000 per week for a typical articulated lorry.
Many complain that they are being driven out of business because of competition from drivers from other European countries, where fuel is around 25p a litre cheaper.
The RHA says 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." "For many, today will represent a last-ditch attempt at making their voice heard."
'Last-ditch attempt' The government looks likely to reject outright calls from hauliers for an "essential user rebate" of between 20 and 25p.
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. One trucker explains why he is protesting
It blames the rising international cost of oil for the fuel rises, but says it may postpone future plans to raise duty by 2p a litre.
A Treasury spokesman said: "The chancellor postponed the planned increase in fuel duty in April because of concern about high fuel prices.
"He has said he is willing to postpone it again in October if he judges it to be right."
He added: "There is no tax windfall from higher fuel prices.
"Any additional tax revenue is offset by a reduction in spending in other areas of the economy and reduced consumption of fuel due to higher prices."
Convoys
Wednesday's protests began with a gathering of lorry drivers at Medway Services in Kent. The drivers then set off for the capital along the M2 motorway.
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 With part of the London-bound A40 closed during the demonstration, police estimated about 230 lorries had arrived by 1330 BST - fewer than the 300-plus vehicles expected.
Part of the London-bound A40 will be closed until 1600 BST. The Metropolitan Police said about 230 lorries had arrived by 1330 BST. Traffic in and out of the city remained relatively unaffected, with no serious instances of disruption reported.
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, where drivers and their supporters had 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."
"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." Driver Mike Wright, 61, from the Heathrow-based Roy Bowles company, said "wildcat protests" could be the next step all across the country.
Hauliers are calling for an "essential user rebate" of between 20 and 25p.
'Very sad'
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.
"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.
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.
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."
Are you a lorry driver? Did you attend the protest? Send us your comments using the form below:Are you a lorry driver? Did you attend 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.
Name
 Name