Driving instructors stage fuel protest

Jun 12 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

DRIVING instructors in Sunderland staged a fuel protest yesterday as frustration grows at rising petrol prices.

The instructors were joined by taxi drivers as around 40 cars set off in a slow-moving convoy from outside the Stadium of Light football ground.

Their journey saw them head from Roker Retail Park towards Hendon Docks at 1pm. One instructor, Walter Bradwell, from Pay n Pass driving school, told The Journal: “Everyone is feeling this and, after the car itself, petrol is our biggest cost.

“But we can’t just put up our prices or else we lose work, so we’re stuck being forced to pay the increased fuel costs and watch as the Treasury makes more and more money from us.

“We feel our hands are tied and we just wanted to make our point, that this Government’s policies are hurting our businesses.

“We know some of this is out of their hands, with the international situation and the rising cost of oil, but there is a lot they could do and it starts with reducing the fuel duty.”

The instructors are now considering putting together a petition urging the Chancellor to scrap his proposed rise in fuel duty this autumn.

Northumbria Police said the event passed without incident and praised those involved for their behaviour during the protest.

We’re forced to pay increased fuel costs and watch as the Treasury makes more and more money