Haulage association backs fair fuel drive

BILL Hockin, chairman of the Road Haulage Association in North Devon, is urging people to sign a petition to scrap the fuel duty increase and lobby their MPs. These actions are part of a campaign being driven by Fair Fuel UK, which has motoring journalist Quentin Wilson as its spokesman. The 3p per litre rise is set for August 1. As chairman of William C Hockin, which employs 50 staff, Bill is well aware of the impact that high fuel is having on business and on the price of goods carried by road. The company operates a vehicle fleet of of 44-tonne tautliners, flatbed trailers and tankers able to transport a range of loads including building materials, fertilisers, food and fuel. It has two bases in Barnstaple at Roundswell Business Park and Seven Brethren Bank. Fair Fuel UK is calling for a significant cut in fuel duty to stimulate the economy, no further rises in fuel duty during the current Parliament, long-term parity with European fuel duties and a fuel price stabiliser. The campaign's supporters include the RAC, the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association. Bill said: "If you help the hire and reward side of the industry, it will automatically help the general public because goods will become cheaper." "I'm not sure the Government sees the importance of this. I think it's a very important issue." People are urged to write to their MPs about the issue. For details of the Fair Fuel UK campaign visit www.fair fueluk.com