RHA Recovery Group says "Give us a break Mr Livingstone"
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2nd July - UK Hauliers take to the streets of London
Wednesday 2 July 2008 will see hauliers from all corners of the UK meet in London for what is set to be the biggest display of industry unity in recent years when members of the Road Haulage Association, the lobby group TransAction 2007, the Transport Association and other industry bodies make their voice heard.
Trucks from all parts of the country will make their way to the M40 Westway where, from 10.00hrs, in co-operation with the Metropolitan Police, they will park on a specially sectioned part of the motorway. (see attached map). Groups of between 20 and 30 vehicles will then be marshalled on the A40, starting from the Marylebone Road side of the flyover.
The first of these groups will be led en masse by a police motorcyclist down through the streets of the Capital to Westminster; the first convoy being expected to cross Westminster Bridge (from the south side) at approximately 11.15hrs.
The planned route will be via Old Marylebone Rd > Edgware Road > Marble Arch > Park Lane > Hyde Park Corner > Grosvenor Place > Lower Grosvenor Place > Bressenden Place > Vauxhall Bridge Road > Bessborough Gardens > Vauxhall Bridge > Albert Embankment > Lambeth Palace Road > Westminster Bridge > Victoria Embankment .
In addition to the vehicle convoy, there will also be a 'foot' lobby of Parliament. Already hundreds of hauliers have written to their members of Parliament requesting a meeting on the afternoon of 2nd July. Those attending the lobby should meet at 11.00am, Old Palace Yard, opposite St Stephens Entrance of the Houses of Parliament .
"I am absolutely delighted that so many sections of the UK transport industry have united in such a positive way", said RHA National Chairman Andy Boyle. "If ever there was positive proof that ours is an industry in crisis then this surely must be it.
"The harsh reality is that the price of fuel is now forcing many hauliers out of business. For many, Wednesday will represent a last ditch attempt at making their voice heard. It is therefore absolutely vital that Government not only listens to us but takes urgent action. For those present on Wednesday, whether they be hauliers or members of Parliament, doing nothing is no longer an option".
Peter Carroll, spokesman for Transaction and, like Andy Boyle, a road haulier himself said, "Our industry is being driven out of business. Continental hauliers are able to run in the UK using cheaper fuel from abroad. The Government needs to realize that the surge in Oil prices has changed the world. It is madness to insist on charging the highest level of fuel duty in the EU on top of a world price that has rocketed. If nothing is done, thousands of UK hauliers will go bust. We have sound and effective proposals to solve this problem. The Government needs to talk to us and to listen to us".
Notes to editors
Please contact those listed below for further information; interviews or details of hauliers attending. Or log on to www.transaction-2007.com
Kate Gibbs, Road Haulage Association, 07979 531451
Peter Carroll, TransAction, 07866 800755
Sharon Knight, TransAction, 07887 520474
Peter Knight, TransAction, 07860 532173
Peter Acton, Transport Association, 07773 352137
