I was the sole representative of South Devon and Cornwall yesterday in London. We are in crisis in the West Country. I would like readers of this email and of Truck & Driver and Commercial Motor to ask the manufacturers/suppliers of trucks, tyres, parts and services who attended the Motor Transport Awards ceremony in London last if they lobbied parliament whilst they were in town. At the same time contact your own local dealers and ask why they are not actively supporting you, their customers. Without British hauliers they will have no businesses to run or awards to receive!

Ann Hall, Dale Worsley Haulage Ltd. Newton Abbot

i attended the fuel protest after a call from representatives of the recovery industry(in this case mcallisters),for recovery vehicles to stand united with haulage contractors.
it was a difficult thing to do as we are a small company having 3 service vans and 2 heavy recovery vehicles,but i've noticed the difference in the past couple of months in the way everyone is dealing with vehicle repairs,and the underlying reason always comes back to fuel costs.i have been self employed for nearly 5 years and in that time we've generally had good times.but recently we've had many changes and burdens(from our government and europe)which have made this work almost unviable.
it now costs me £97.00 to fill my LDV maxus service van(sometimes 3 times a week).the recovery vehicles upto £500,and add £200 to access inside the m25.haulage fleets are renewing to euro 3 upwards which means older trucks(the mainstay of our work)are being phased out early.i don't know how many more blows our industry(both haulage and recovery)can take,not many for sure.we're collectively on the ropes now,and expecting a knock out blow to come any moment.

john hadley commercials,coventry.

This was my first time at a fuel protest, as a self employed operator I knew I would be un-available if a job came in, inevitably work did but the customers fully supported me doing this and understood the importance to make a "noise" about the crippling costs of fuel to us all.
I have seen a few clients fold in the garage/bodyshop industry and more will no doubt follow. EVERYONE I speak to is finding it hard to keep their heads above water and unless this government stops extracting money hand over fist and 'raping' us for whatever it can to pay for their costly blunders at running this once fine country we will see more protests like this for more than just fuel....food, gas etc....the public is growing angry at incompetence and being ripped off!!
WAKE UP BRITAIN....Moan like the French.