BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Spanish hauliers on strike

BBC NEWS / IN PICTURES
Graphics Version BBC Sport Home

13:28 GMT, Monday, 9 June 2008 14:28 UK

In pictures: Spanish hauliers on strike

Lorries block the ring road around Madrid (9 June 2008)

1 of 7
Tens of thousands of lorry drivers in Spain have begun an indefinite strike in protest against the cost of diesel fuel, which has risen by more than 20% since the start of the year.

Lorry drivers seek the support of motorists near the France-Spain border (9 June 2008)

Lorry drivers seek the support of motorists near the France-Spain border (9 June 2008)

2 of 7
After stopping work at midnight on Sunday, some of the drivers parked their vehicles beside roadside toll booths on the border between Spain and France, causing serious disruption.

Spanish hauliers block traffic on the Spanish border with France in Behobia, northern Spain, 9 June 2008

Spanish hauliers block traffic on the Spanish border with France in Behobia, northern Spain, 9 June 2008

3 of 7
Virtual gridlock was created as tailbacks stretched for up to 10km (six miles) on roads leading to the French border .

A Portuguese lorry that was attacked for crossing the picket line on the France-Spain border (9 June 2008)

A Portuguese lorry that was attacked for crossing the picket line on the France-Spain border (9 June 2008)

4 of 7
A number of lorries crossing the picket lines had their windscreens broken, lights ripped out and tyres slashed. There have also been protests in Madrid, Barcelona, the Basque Country and Valencia.

French lorry drivers disrupt traffic near the France-Spain border (9 June 2008)

French lorry drivers disrupt traffic near the France-Spain border (9 June 2008)

5 of 7
The lorry drivers are receiving support from counterparts in Portugal and southern France, who have also been disrupting the flow of traffic along some of the main routes into Spain.

Spanish fisherman on strike (archive)

6 of 7
They are following the lead of Spanish and French fishermen, many of whom have been on strike since last month because of the cost of maritime diesel, which has risen by 240% in the past five years.

A policeman tries to keep a lane open as lorries move in to block the M-40 ring road in Madrid, 9 June 2008

A policeman tries to keep a lane open as lorries move in to block the M-40 ring road in Madrid, 9 June 2008

7 of 7
The government is preparing a package to assist the sector, with emergency loans, more flexible contracts and cash payments to older lorry drivers who are willing to retire.

E-mail this to a friend

Related to this story:
Spanish hauliers on fuel strike (09 Jun 08 | Europe )