HAULAGE contractor John Parkinson, of TR Trailers, Birkenhead, presented a Wirral MP with a plausible case on a plate, to protect the lorry trade in Britain.

Lorry drivers staged a blockade in London this week to highlight their concern at the Budget's fuel price rises and higher excise duty.

Mr Parkinson went to a post-Budget breakfast instead, hosted at the Village Hotel in Bromborough, by Wirral South MP Ben Chapman.

Sitting at a table with Wirral members of the Federation of Small Businesses, he brought the message home how higher taxes will hurt his industry and push up prices to the public.

He warned hauliers will be basing their business abroad as a result and foreign lorry drivers, especially the French, will be stealing business from British-based firms.

"Red tape is strangling our industry. Road tax on a five axle truck rose from £3, 210 a year to £5,750. Our fuel is going up again and it is much cheaper on the continent. I don't take my truck out for a run on a Sunday for fun," declared Mr Parkinson using a mixture of humour and pathos to make his point.

Mr Chapman promised to take the point on board and deliver them to Transport Minister Dr John Reid.

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