Hauliers across the country are getting behind the FairFuelUK petition, insisting a diesel duty price freeze is vital for operators to survive.
Les Coatman, MD at family-run Durham City Transport, which runs a fleet of 38 HGVs, says he is concerned at the rate fuel duty has risen. "This time last year I was paying 93ppl, and it is now £1.09ppl, so for fluctuating prices to be coupled with yet another rise is wrong. We have no choice but to pass on costs to customers using a fuel duty escalator, but they are also struggling with the economy. It is vital the government slows down the rate it is introducing duty rises."
FairFuelUK's campaign is calling for the abolishment of April's 1ppl hike in fuel duty, a demand Coatman says he agrees with.
The planned April fuel duty rise will be the fourth in 12 months and follows VAT increasing to 20% in January.
Martin Bennett, owner of Ipswich-based Gem Transport Logistics which runs three lorries, says he is willing to sign the petition as a freeze on the April rise "would at least be a start".
"With such high diesel costs, anything this petition can do to get a price freeze would be really helpful. If the government goes ahead with the rise, I expect many hauliers will be squeezed to even break-even. It is sad to see how many British hauliers have gone under over the last year, and I expect there will be more in 2011, as firms struggle to cope with higher diesel bills," Bennett adds.
Michelle Hunter, director at Gateshead-based Lescost Transport, says: "I will be signing the petition as we, like most UK hauliers, are really suffering from high-fuel costs. We have had to re-instate a fuel surcharge, but unfortunately not all clients are willing to accept this. It is jeopardising some of our customer base."
Hunter says ideally she would like to see a fuel rebate for hauliers, taxi drivers and those who list transport as a fundamental aspect of their business.
However, Paul Shone, MD at family-run Watford haulier Stand & Deliver Transport, is less confident a petition will make the government become more understanding over diesel costs.
He says: "I really do believe the only thing we can do to make the government take notice of how unfairly hauliers are treated, is to stage an all out national strike. That would mean every single operator parking up their trucks for three days. That would bring the country to a standstill."
He says he does understand, however, that a number of companies are not in a position where they can afford to lose a days work.
The FairFuelUK petition has now collated over 22,500 signatures, with another 30,000 estimated following the download of 1,500 petition forms, each with space for 20 signatures.
If you've signed the petition let us know by contacting us on 020 8652 3683 or joanna.bourke@rbi.co.uk
