Fuel protest convoy to go ahead

A 'go-slow' fuel protest convoy from Tyneside to London is expected to go ahead tomorrow after truckers said Gordon Brown's pre-Budget statement did not give enough concessions.

A 'go-slow' fuel protest convoy from Tyneside to London is expected to go ahead tomorrow after truckers said Gordon Brown's pre-Budget statement did not give enough concessions.

But early signs show there is not as much public support for protesters as during earlier demonstrations nearly two months ago.

A drive today from Berwick in the Scottish Borders to Newcastle attracted just four vehicles, with only two finishing the trip.

And protest leaders admit only 40 vehicles may take part in the next stage, from Newcastle to the Capital.

There were also indications the police would take a firmer line, with North Yorkshire Police obtaining a notice under the Public Order Act banning the convoy from the flood-stricken city of York.

Northumbria Police were actively monitoring drivers arriving in the county to join the protest and, in some cases, serving letters setting out the legal position if they do take part.

Chief Constable John Scott said: "We recognise and respect people's rights to lawful protest but we also have to ensure the safety of other road users and members of the public."

The protesters complained that the actions "smacked of a police state" but nevertheless said that they would abide by the law.

Mr Brown urged the protesters to study closely his assistance package for the haulage industry which, he said, was worth the equivalent of an 8p cut in duty on a litre of diesel, before joining the convoy.

The measures in his pre-Budget report included a two-year freeze on diesel duties, a 3p-a-litre duty cut for the "green" ultra low sulphur diesel and reductions of up to £2,000 in road tax for lorries.

"This is not a time to bring Britain to a halt by protest. I think the whole of business and most of Britain wants to keep Britain moving," the Chancellor said.

"I hope the protesters will look at the detail of my proposal because there is a totally new licensing system for lorries which will get us down to about the lowest in Europe for licence fees."

However David Handley - chairman of the People's Fuel Lobby and Farmers for Action - said the pre-Budget report had come as a "disappointing blow" and that the drive by hard core protesters would go ahead.

"We were expecting a much more substantial cut across the board for everyone," he said.

"At this precise moment everything goes ahead."

Andrew Spence, a People's Fuel Lobby committee member, and one of the convoy organisers said Mr Brown's plans had not even come close to their demands for a 26p-a-litre cut in diesel duties.

"There was nothing in the statement which will help farmers and hauliers now. The protest will go ahead as planned," he said.

"We had been holding out for a sensible reduction in fuel duty, and 26.2p a litre was only ever an opening figure but we have got nothing like that."

Shadow chancellor Michael Portillo said Mr Brown had only himself to blame for the latest threatened disruption as he had been the cause of the fuel protests.

"I do not think people will readily forgive him for the mistakes he did make. In particular they will notice that he did not come and say he was sorry," Mr Portillo said.

The Petrol Retailers Association meanwhile warned that the big oil companies may not pass on the duty cuts in ultra low sulphur and diesel to drivers, and instead pocket the money themselves.

At Westminster meanwhile, Social Security Secretary Alistair Darling rolled out further details of the pre-Budget report with a £200 million package for carers and the disabled and a new pension credit to help OAPs on modest incomes who have saved for their retirement.