Hauliers warn of new fuel protest

Dai Owen said the protestors wanted to keep any action legal

Hauliers have raised the prospect of oil refineries being blockaded in the run-up to the general election in protest at fuel price rises.

More than 200 people, some travelling from south Wales, met in Ruthin and heard calls for a repeat of the tactics which caused disruption in autumn 2000. There was an unanimous vote in favour of taking some form of direct action but no resolution on what it should be.

The organisers warned that many lorry firms could soon go out of business.

Road hauliers want to see the tax on diesel reduced, claiming their competitors across Europe enjoy much lower fuel costs.

Hauliers, farmers, construction workers and taxi drivers were among those who turned up at Ruthin cattle market on Wednesday night to protest at fuel prices.

Dai Owen, one of the meeting's organisers, said people would consider the different proposals put forward.

"We want to do something that's legal. We don't want to hold people to ransom," said Mr Owen, who runs a haulage business in Caerwys, Flintshire.

"We want to give the government or whoever's coming in a chance, one last chance, to listen to us and our plea.

Protesters decided to take action but did not agree on what action

"Europe are getting fuel now that's 88p a gallon cheaper than us, and that's why we can't compete. And that's why there are so many foreign vehicles here now, doing our work."

But Mike Green was one of several hauliers from south Wales claiming that a repeat of the blockades of oil refineries in 2000 was likely.

He said: "I can tell you that we will be back at the refineries before the General Election.

"I reckon that we will be back in such a force that they won't know what's hit 'me."

Some at the meeting said the outcome of a meeting of Scottish hauliers in Stirling on Friday may be significant to what happens next.