Shropshire business closure announced on Twitter

A Shropshire businessman has announced the closure of his firm's haulage arm on Twitter.

Dave James Transport will be wound down over the next few weeks and close at Christmas.

Dave James, owner of the Dave James Group based in Craven Arms, made the announcement.

It had been operating at a loss for more than a year, he wrote on the site.

Mr James posted tweets on his Twitter feed saying the business would be closing.

He also criticised the Government for its attitude towards the industry. Three drivers have been made redundant but the move will have no impact on other subsidiary companies Craven Arms Tyre Services and Dave James Commercials.

Mr James has sent a message on Twitter to Mayor of London Boris Johnson explaining he had to make the redundancies because of London's low emission zone and the rising cost of diesel affecting his drivers travelling to the South East.

He said he had not had a reply but believed Mr Johnson was following his tweets.

Writing on his Twitter feed, Mr James said: "It's a sad time as we close our haulage side at Christmas - having to let some great friends as well as staff go due to government greed on fuel.

"I know it's for the best as it's unsustainable - but it doesn't make it any easier losing damn hardworking staff. The death knell of the small family-run haulage business is ringing as we speak thanks to European legislation."

Mr James today warned that if the Government did not take action to help haulage firms soon it could be facing a "winter of discontent".