British Truckers Take to Streets

PARIS — After seven annual diesel tax increases of more than 5%, some British truck operators have taken to the streets in protest.

An estimated 1,500 trucks converged on central London, blocking traffic for miles around the British capital on March 25. Another round of protest was scheduled for April 12 in London, Manchester and other cities.

“We are the people with the clout, the people with the trucks. If we decide to blockade, we blockade,” said Peter Knight, one of the founders of the protest group known as Trans Action, which a few weeks ago was thinking of shutting down due to lack of support.

According to Knight, the success of the protest in London, which was heavily covered by the national news media, has rejuvenated the protest movement. Public opinion, as measured by several newspaper polls, has shown support for the protesters. And several national papers have run editorials backing the industry’s demands for a rollback of vehicle and fuel taxes.

Because of the tax increases, British truckers now pay more than twice as much in diesel tax as their continental European competitors.

Also, the annual vehicle tax for a 40-ton truck was raised to about $9,000. In comparison, truckers pay $960 in France and $2,400 in Germany.

“It’s ridiculous,” said Frank Stears, the head of Trans Action. “At the London protest, it was truck owners, not drivers, that parked their trucks. When a truck owner lets his truck sit idle for a whole day, you know there must be something really wrong.”

So far, the protests have been peaceful and legal. In fact, police reported only three complaints during the London blockade.

“And two of them were from French tourists,” Stears said with a chuckle.

He notes that France has been the scene of numerous national truck driver strikes this decade, which have literally brought much of the country to a standstill.

“A lot of people (in the industry) would like to see a French-style blockade here,” Stears added.

But with public opinion seemingly behind the protesters, Trans Action’s leadership hopes a national strike that closes ports and major highways will not be necessary.

“It would only alienate the public,” Stears said.

Right now, things appear to be going in favor of the protesters. After years of ignoring them, at least the media and government are hearing their complaints. Stears thinks the government may be willing to address some of the problems, particularly if the April 12 protest is as successful as the first.

“At the moment, there are going to be some talks on (April 8),” Stears said. “If the government is willing to work with us, we can call off the protest.”

For the full story, see the April 12 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.