Fuel protestors speak

Hauliers in attendance at the lobby at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 2 July all stressed how dire the fuel crisis has become.

Martin Brown, managing director of Charles Brown & Son, based in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, said: “The current situation is disastrous. My firm has been running for nearly 50 years, but we’ve never known it as bad as this. The situation with the fuel duty is crippling us; we’ve had to cut our fleet from 25 down to 16.”

Ian Jarman, environmental and legislation manager at South Wales haulier Owens, agreed: “The current situation is critical. The industry has had enough. It’s good to see so many people from around the country support the protest today, it shows the depth of feeling in the industry. We’re happy to show our support and have sent a truck down to the convoy in London as well as lobbying outside Parliament.”

Impossible to pass on rises

Harry Brakewell, senior partner at Kidderminster-based Brakewells, claimed the situation is so bad that it is now virtually impossible to pass fuel price rises onto customers.

“Basically nobody in government seems to understand the concerns of the haulage industry. I just hope that by coming down here today we are able to demonstrate just how serious the problem is. It’s vitally important that the government doesn’t raise fuel duty any further.”

Jim Dodd, managing director of Dodds Transport, added: “I’m very happy to see the RHA, TransAction and the transport industry coming together and speaking for the industry with one voice. We need to present a united front when we are dealing with the government because that is the only way we will be seen as a strong force.”

Customers stretched

Ian Berkley, operations director at Aspray Transport, said the problem his company is facing at the moment is that customers are also stretched. “While we have fuel surcharge in place, they are unwilling to consider a rate rise as well.”

Graham Cross, director at Oxfordshire-based Mor Cross Transport, was at the protest because he wants a level playing field with foreign competitors. “If the government does not take notice, this industry will struggle to survive.”

Andy Bell, owner of Andy Bell Commercials, was at the event to support the road haulage industry. “Many of our customers are unable to continue operating [because of high fuel costs].”

Rebate needed

Roger Oakley, director at Hereford-based Arthur Oakley Transport, said hauliers are struggling to keep up with the price rises on fuel. “We need the government to help us with an essential user rebate.”

Sandy McCracken director Pat McCracken said he hoped that the government will listen to hauliers this time. “We need an essential user rebate to keep the road haulage business going.”

Chris Flynn, MD at Rochdale-based CFT Services, agreed that the industry needs some an essential user rebate to keep operating and give a level playing field with Europe.

Matt Starling, director at Norfolk-based Starlings Transport, said the soaring fuel costs had affected his company’s cash flow and that he believes many smaller hauliers will be unable to continue covering the extra cost burden of diesel prices.

Unfair treatment

Anne Preston, director of Prestons of Potto, said: “I don’t know why the UK treats the road haulage industry so unfairly. We need help like the airlines and railways get.”

Colin Keegan, transport operations manager at Great Bear Distribution, said the whole haulage industry is suffering and cannot compete with foreign trucks paying 22p/lit less for diesel.

Maurice Smith, director at Pembrokeshire-based MJ Smith Haulage, said he decided to protest to show the government how big an issue high fuel prices are. “I’ve come here to try to get a reduction in fuel costs for the British haulage industry.”

Losing business

Peter Harding, owner of Peter Harding Freight International, said that without a level playing field on fuel it is almost impossible for UK hauliers to compete, adding: “I’m losing business to Estonian operators working in the UK. The government needs to do something.”