Lorry drivers in fuel price protest

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ANGER: Lorry drivers out in force in today’s protest.

ANGRY lorry drivers arrived in London today for a protest in a bid to get the Government to cut the price of fuel.

Lining their vehicles along a specially closed section of the A40 Westway in West London, the hauliers spoke of their fears for the industry as long as fuel costs remained at record highs.

Small convoys were being led by police through central London, while protesters on foot lobbied Parliament. One of the first to arrive in the capital today was Robin Edmunds, 58, from Devizes, Wiltshire.

Mr Edmunds, who has a fleet of seven lorries, said: “I have never seen times as bad as this.

“The Government has got to cut the fuel duty. All this is down to Gordon Brown, and he is pulling Alistair Darling’s strings.”

Travelling from Wiltshire with Mr Edmunds today was his son, Michael, 30, who also runs his own business.

He said: “I’m not very optimistic of any change but, if we keep knocking on the door, the Government will hopefully listen.

“A lot of people can’t afford to take the time off work to come up for this protest.

“Business life for us at the moment is hard. It’s got to the stage where I’m wondering whether it’s all worth carrying on. I’m only a small haulier. We are simply getting swallowed up.”

Another early arrival was Paul Prout, 34, who operates five lorries based in Melksham, Wiltshire.

He said: “It’s all very sad. I’ve just learned that one of my drivers has had a baby, but I can’t afford to run the business just to keep him in a job.”