Second 'Fair play' rally attracts only 200 trucks
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• Hauliers have expressed concerns about whether the Road Haulage Association's campaign of nationwide rallies to help defeat crippling fuel prices can succeed after last week's second rally at Brooklands Aerodrome in Surrey attracted only 200 trucks—half the number present at last month's inaugural rally (CM 16-22 July).
Trevor Fox, of Harold Fox and Sons in Manea, Cambridgeshire says: "If every haulier who said they were in trouble actually turned up there would be hundreds here. But they don't come." Fox says 'Fair play on fuel' rallies are only the way forward if supported.
Tim Griffin, of Griffin Freight Services in Retford. Nottinghamshire doubts the RHA rallies help in gaining public support but at least hauliers and officials were "trying".
Trans-Action's leading lights were similarly dubious. "This won't help change anything just sitting in a field," says Frank Steam of Frank Steam Haulage. "We came to support the RHA and in turn hope it supports us."
Stears says plans for a mass lobbying demonstration of truckers on foot to Parliament were well under way.
Steven Norris, director general of the RHA, explains the low attendance was partly due to "other commitments this month for hauliers", but that the rally attracted good radio coverage.
A national advertising campaign will be introduced, says the RHA, to increase public support for the fight. Members will have the an option to pay £100 towards this.
E The Conservative party has adopted the Essential User Rebate as "official policy". Eric Pickles, Conservative MP and transport select committee member, says: "We will present a case to Labour which is unanswerable."