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Prepare for fuel blockades...
Page 6
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Fuel protests return as the Chancellor ratchets up tax. Jennifer Ball reports.
AS CM WENT TO PRESS this week fuel blockades were being threatened by angry operators, drivers and farmers across the UK.
Fuel users have been enraged by a 1.28p/lit fuel tax hike and OPEC's decision to cut oil production. As a result the price of diesel is set to surge above 80p/lit the level which sparked the last protests in 2000.
But a Treasury spokesman warns that the rise will go ahead despite the protest threats. "It's not for us to comment on any protests," he says, "but we hope that those who are planning to protest will look at the bigger picture and the continued strength of the UK economy, not forgetting the low tax burden in the UK and the falling cost of road tax."
But Andrew Spence, leader of the People's Fuel Lobby, is unimpressed. He warns that there is strong support for action: "Feelings are running high and we will be meeting this week to decide our response.There will be no backing down this time."
Early in the week CM learned of some protest plans, including a rolling roadblock on the M25 and a blockade of motorway service areas (MSAs).
Tom Flannagan, Roadchers company secretary, has condemned such plans, pointing out that the MSA operators also suffer from fuel price hikes: "MSAs are not the enemy. 1 can understand protesting on public highway against the government but it could have serious consequences if drivers are stopped from being able to take their breaks, "If drivers want to do something to protest they need to act responsibly."
But that's not enough to dissuade hardpressed operators. Driver David Williams says: "I took part in the last protest and I would certainly participate in another. The Government needs to be aware that heavy hikes in fuel prices are strangling the industry."
And driver Terry Richmond adds: -It's about time that the government realised that without transport the country does not function. We should take a leaf out of our French counterparts... stop ranting about it and do something."
The subject has been a hot topic on the Trucknet UK website, and while a spokesman says it does not condone law breaking as a protest, he adds that the site can be used to co-ordinate legal action.