British Truckers Take to the Streets To Protest Diesel Fuel Tax Increase

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

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

"We are the people with the clout, the people with the trucks," says Peter Knight, one of the founders of the protest organizer known as Trans Action, which only a few weeks ago was thinking of shutting down for lack of support.

"If we decide to blockade, we blockade."

According to Mr. Knight, the success of the March 25 protest in London, which was heavily covered by the national press, has rejuventated the protest movement. Public opinion, as measured by several newspaper polls, is said to be firmly behind the protestors. And several national newspapers have run editorials in support of the industry's demands that both vehicle and fuel

axes be lowered.

Because of the tax increases, British truckers now pay more than twice as much in diesel tax as their continental European competitors. In addition, the annual vehicle tax for a 40-ton truck was just raised to about $9,000. In comparison, French truckers pay annual vehicle taxes of $960 and in Germany the tax is $2,400.

"It's ridiculous," says 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.

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