Convoy Protest Halts Traffic (From Warrington Guardian)

Convoy Protest Halts Traffic

TRAFFIC around Warrington ground to a halt on Monday morning as truckers staged a massive protest against the rise in diesel tax.

Nearly 250 lorries from all over the north west congregated at the Poplar 2000 truck stop in Lymm, ready to drive in convoy into the heart of Manchester.

The truckers made their way slowly along the M56 in a bid to hold up traffic and bring home to other motorists their message that the increased costs are driving them out of business.

As the lorries set off from the service area, which is situated at the junction between the M56 and the M6, police smoothed their progress by stopping rush hour traffic coming out and into Warrington.

Co-ordinator of the massive police presence at the truck stop, Chief Inspector Gordon Swindells said: "We met with organisers last week and all the meetings we have had with them have been cordial.

"We asked them in the interests of safety to use only lane one of the motorway. They are responsible hauliers and they realise the dangers and serious consequences of travelling slowly on the motorways."

Protest organiser Richard Dingle said: "We had a lot of phone calls from hauliers all over the north west wanting to join in.

"If we can't get fuel prices down it will affect the public as much as us in increased prices."

Truckers taking part in the convoy said they would be willing to carry out more protests.

Driver Alan Wilson of A&K Transport, Culcheth, said truckers had to take action to make people more aware of what was happening.

And David Shaw of Hunt Brothers, Culcheth, added: "It has to be worth a try. I think we'll keep doing it - whatever it takes."

But the action didn't seem to be having the desired effect on Warrington drivers. Several car drivers and even one truck driver stuck in the traffic on Knutsford Road did not know what was causing the hold-up.

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