TRUCK convoys are gathering to protest about "the rocketing price of diesel".
Vehicles from across the News Shopper region are believed to be taking part in the demonstration which started this morning at the Medway Services on the M2 in Kent.
It will end with a rally in Park Lane, central London, and haulage company representatives will speak about problems in the industry from around 11.30am.
A coffin will then be taken on the back of a 'low loader' lorry to the House of Commons, to represent the demise of the UK road haulage industry.
Members of protest group TransAction 2007 will then give a letter about the industry's problems to the Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP, Derek Wyatt.
They will also hand in a copy of the Burns Inquiry undertaken over two years ago.
The inquiry document advised the Government and the haulage industry of the problems affecting the industry and set out ways to overcome them.
Protestors are angry that the price of diesel at the pumps has surged by 30 per cent.
The typical articulated vehicles that people see on the roads delivering goods now cost up to £1,000 in fuel a week.
Mike Presneill, one of the protest organisers said: "Our industry is the lifeblood of the UK economy.
"Fuel is rising on a daily basis.
"It is now at levels that are bankrupting hundreds of small and medium-sized haulage companies.
"These are the companies that have been built up through hard work often over generations.
"To add insult to injury, foreign hauliers are arriving in the UK full to the brim with cheaper fuel and undercutting our rates.
"They are literally destroying our industry.
"They contribute nothing to our economy, take our jobs, wear out our roads and put nothing into the Exchequer.
What do you think of the price of fuel? Do you support the protest? Add your comments below.
9:58am Tuesday 29th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Debbie, Eltham on 11:36am Tue 29 Apr 08
I heard the trucks on the A2 this morning on their way to London. I completely back what they are trying to do - this Government cannot continue to smash our economy and expect no retaliation. Taxes are the highest in Europe - and they still can't get it right! Go for it Truckers - we are ALL behind you!!!
I heard the trucks on the A2 this morning on their way to London. I completely back what they are trying to do - this Government cannot continue to smash our economy and expect no retaliation. Taxes are the highest in Europe - and they still can't get it right! Go for it Truckers - we are ALL behind you!!!
Posted by: Karl on 11:56am Tue 29 Apr 08
If truckers can waste their time and fuel on driving their gas guzzling, high polluting monsters into town for a protest, then they are obviously not being taxed enough.
They could offset rises in fuel prices by increasing their efficiency by travelling only with full loads and driving more economically through cutting their speeds.
Oil prices are rising across the world because of increasing demand from developing economies, and is not the fault of the UK govenrment. The truckers should be doing their part to reduce demand and not be wasting fuel on a protest, polluting the air and putting our children at risk in the process.
If truckers can waste their time and fuel on driving their gas guzzling, high polluting monsters into town for a protest, then they are obviously not being taxed enough.
They could offset rises in fuel prices by increasing their efficiency by travelling only with full loads and driving more economically through cutting their speeds.
Oil prices are rising across the world because of increasing demand from developing economies, and is not the fault of the UK govenrment. The truckers should be doing their part to reduce demand and not be wasting fuel on a protest, polluting the air and putting our children at risk in the process.
Posted by: anon, beckenham on 12:35pm Tue 29 Apr 08
what aload or rubbish karl if the reason the prices are going up is because of developing economies then why do we pay more for fuel than any other country in the world considering today "shell" and "BP" announced the quarterly profits ip 42% than last year
explain that
CHEER ON THE TRUCK PROTEST AND I RECON PEOPLE IN CARS SHOULD DO THE SAME AS WAS DONE PREVIOUSLY SOME YRS AGO
what aload or rubbish karl if the reason the prices are going up is because of developing economies then why do we pay more for fuel than any other country in the world considering today "shell" and "BP" announced the quarterly profits ip 42% than last year
explain that
CHEER ON THE TRUCK PROTEST AND I RECON PEOPLE IN CARS SHOULD DO THE SAME AS WAS DONE PREVIOUSLY SOME YRS AGO
Posted by: Dougie Dickson, Lewisham on 3:37pm Tue 29 Apr 08
[bold]Is it not enough that we as truckers are being penalised by ken livingston we have to endure this too. The gov't need to act now aren't we supposed be living in a democracy? Are they actually listening to the people or just doing what they want!![/bold]
Is it not enough that we as truckers are being penalised by ken livingston we have to endure this too. The gov't need to act now aren't we supposed be living in a democracy? Are they actually listening to the people or just doing what they want!! Posted by: giselle on 9:20am Wed 30 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Debbie[/bold] wrote:
I heard the trucks on the A2 this morning on their way to London. I completely back what they are trying to do - this Government cannot continue to smash our economy and expect no retaliation. Taxes are the highest in Europe - and they still can't get it right! Go for it Truckers - we are ALL behind you!!![/quote] Hi debbie, I too am a general motorist, come and add your support on the transaction2007 site, your be more than welcome to join the rest of us and have your say along with many other general motorist, like myself.
Debbie wrote:
I heard the trucks on the A2 this morning on their way to London. I completely back what they are trying to do - this Government cannot continue to smash our economy and expect no retaliation. Taxes are the highest in Europe - and they still can't get it right! Go for it Truckers - we are ALL behind you!!!
Hi debbie, I too am a general motorist, come and add your support on the transaction2007 site, your be more than welcome to join the rest of us and have your say along with many other general motorist, like myself.
Posted by: jo, Bromley on 10:44am Wed 30 Apr 08
Good on the truckers! My dad is a lorry driver for a haulage company and it costs them so much with the rising petrol costs something has to be done its madness too many companies are going out of business due to the government. Dont forget the lorries all have to have the lower emissions thing fitted which costs a fortune too. I had an e-mail yesterday trying to get everyone to boycott BP as they make the biggest profit and people are thinking if everyone stops usignt hem they will have to lower their prices, not sure if that will work or not?!
Good on the truckers! My dad is a lorry driver for a haulage company and it costs them so much with the rising petrol costs something has to be done its madness too many companies are going out of business due to the government. Dont forget the lorries all have to have the lower emissions thing fitted which costs a fortune too. I had an e-mail yesterday trying to get everyone to boycott BP as they make the biggest profit and people are thinking if everyone stops usignt hem they will have to lower their prices, not sure if that will work or not?!
Posted by: Sunny, London on 10:53am Wed 30 Apr 08
I don't drive a truck but I drive a car and am getting rather peeved who ever keeps nicking my petrol and also throws away the petrol cap. Costing me a fortune and the price of petrol is crazy - it effects us all not just the truckers.
I don't drive a truck but I drive a car and am getting rather peeved who ever keeps nicking my petrol and also throws away the petrol cap. Costing me a fortune and the price of petrol is crazy - it effects us all not just the truckers.
Posted by: jo, Bromley on 2:36pm Wed 30 Apr 08
I agree it does effect all of us but its worse for truckers my dad's work yard has been broken into loads of times with people trying to steal the diesel, even if they are parked up on a break they have to becareful people dont steal their petrol. The cost of public transport has gone up and petrol prices are constantly going up how the hell are we meant to get around when we cant walk or cycle?!
I agree it does effect all of us but its worse for truckers my dad's work yard has been broken into loads of times with people trying to steal the diesel, even if they are parked up on a break they have to becareful people dont steal their petrol. The cost of public transport has gone up and petrol prices are constantly going up how the hell are we meant to get around when we cant walk or cycle?!
Posted by: c shell on 10:04am Thu 1 May 08
I support our truckers but am fed up with the foreign truckers who use our facilities create holes in our roads and pay nothing to contribute to the repairs, and the government are getting more revenue due to the high prices of crude oil. A high percentage of these continental drivers fill up cheaply in their own country with fuel, work here all week then go home and it has cost them nothing. They park overnight anywhere they see a space not caring if they break up pavements in the process. How can our British truckers compete with this? we are being taken for mugs, we should all support our own truckers and good on them for making a stand!
I support our truckers but am fed up with the foreign truckers who use our facilities create holes in our roads and pay nothing to contribute to the repairs, and the government are getting more revenue due to the high prices of crude oil. A high percentage of these continental drivers fill up cheaply in their own country with fuel, work here all week then go home and it has cost them nothing. They park overnight anywhere they see a space not caring if they break up pavements in the process. How can our British truckers compete with this? we are being taken for mugs, we should all support our own truckers and good on them for making a stand!
Posted by: sam james, dartford on 1:05am Fri 2 May 08
i bet gordon brown doesnt pay for his fuel
i bet gordon brown doesnt pay for his fuel
Posted by: Phil, Devon on 5:11pm Sat 24 May 08
The rapid continual increase of fuel prices will affect everyone as their cost of living will rise as a result. The government cannot put their head in the sand while businesses and working people suffer
The rapid continual increase of fuel prices will affect everyone as their cost of living will rise as a result. The government cannot put their head in the sand while businesses and working people suffer
Posted by: geoff, stockton-on-tees on 4:10pm Mon 26 May 08
i think its time we all joined them and let the gov know weve had enough of being crapped all over by them. its bad enough the price of food shooting up the way it has has rubber face brown given us any more money to cover all this?, nah too busy wasting on his missues and his hair dos and jags to carry his fat lardy arse about in. if the people speak they will have to listen, its been done before, it can be done again, are we car drivers all whimps?.[bold]bold[/bold] [quote]quote[/quote] [quote]quote[/quote]
i think its time we all joined them and let the gov know weve had enough of being crapped all over by them. its bad enough the price of food shooting up the way it has has rubber face brown given us any more money to cover all this?, nah too busy wasting on his missues and his hair dos and jags to carry his fat lardy arse about in. if the people speak they will have to listen, its been done before, it can be done again, are we car drivers all whimps?.
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