SPIRALLING diesel prices are fuelling anger among lorry operators who are warning the industry is facing a crisis and that more protests could be on the way.

As diesel reaches 75.5p a litre for bulk deliveries, the Freight Transport Association has found the road transport industry regards the reduction of fuel duty a priority.

Ray Blackley, transport manager with Newport-based MDW Europe, said: "Fuel prices are horrendous - our fuel bill has gone through the roof." Many firms are not managing the increases which were predicted to rise even more.

He said: "We employ up to 20 sub-contractors and some are ringing to say they are not going to be available from this week as they can't afford to run their vehicles."

Mr Blackley said the firm, which transports waste, scrap and raw materials, employed around 50 drivers and at the beginning of the year was considering expansion but that was put on hold.

He said there would be a repeat of the protests seen in 2000 but they could be even worse this time around.

"The feedback throughout South Wales and the Midlands from different haulage companies is the same, they are all saying they are so fed-up. It is totally unfair that there is a trade advantage to our European partners."

In an FTA survey last month, nearly all the operators agreed the organisation should maintain its campaign to bring fuel duty for trucks in line with Irish and continental levels.

His views were echoed by Lloyd Davies, transport manager at DJV Transport in Alexandra Docks, Newport. "A lot of companies are going to the wall, that's how bad it is."

FTA chief economist Simon Chapman said: "The government is barely paying lip service to the needs of this vital industry.

"It is the transport industry that delivers the economy and the government already takes more than £4bn a year in fuel duty."