Shepway Carroll plays lead role in Haulier protest

9.07.54am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 2nd Jul 2008

Hundreds of hauliers are travelling to London today to demonstrate against the rising cost of fuel, with Shepway Councillor Peter Carroll one of the organisers of the demonstration.

Drivers last demonstrated in May, saying soaring fuel costs are crippling their businesses and are demanding a 25p-in-the-pound tax rebate on diesel. The protest coincides with a debate in Parliament on the controversial increase in vehicle excise duty planned by Chancellor Alastair Darling.

Peter Carroll, who is the owner of haulage firm Seymour Transport and one of the organisers of the action, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that British hauliers could not compete with foreign rivals. He said:

"We are under mortal threat. The UK road haulage industry is not in trouble, it is facing a catastrophe."

"The most important reason for that catastrophe is that continental hauliers pay, on average, 25p per litre less in fuel duty than we do. We pay the highest in the EU."

Lorry drivers gathered at Medway Services in Kent on Wednesday morning before setting off along the M2 towards London at 8am. Organisers say they have been driven to protest by fuel bills of up to £1,000 per week for a typical articulated lorry.

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Peter Carroll and Tim Yeo MP on Radio 4's "Today" programme on 2nd July