Will the haulage fuel protests return? Probably not but the issues of high fuel prices and the high number of overseas trucks doing UK work is starting get people thinking Mike Presneill, who was very closely involved in the 2000 protests, has written an article for Motor Transport calling for an essential user rebate and has been visiting Motor Transport and the RHA.. He wants the trade associations to push harder on the issues. The increase in fuel duty in October will mean hauliers will pay 50.35 p duty on every litre. And while there has been talk about charging overseas vehicles, there is still no action.
The issue of high fuel tax has not gone away. Indeed it is starting to take greater prominence. The Burns inquiry has been dismissed by Government, and was a failure.
Mike Presneill is pressing the RHA to do more but it is difficult to see what more the RHA can do. But it is just possible that rising fuel prices and overseas trucks using our roads for free could lead to new protests.
Motor Transport has also published an article looking at the issue of fuel tax and prices.
Mike Presneill can be contacted at mike@presneillgroup.co.uk