Motorists call for brakes on fuel prices
MOTORISTS in the region are being warned they could be hit further in the pocket with the possibility of fuel prices rising to £1.20 a litre.
Research by AA has revealed the cost of unleaded fuel could soon rocket to a heady £1.20 a litre as motorists prepare themselves to feel an even greater pinch at the pumps.
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PRICE CHECK: At Morrisons on Festival Park, Tesco in Longton, Total in Shelton, Sainsbury's in Hanley, Asda in Wolstanton and Shell in Etruria yesterday.
Drivers around the Potteries are becoming more choosy when using the car with the trip to work top of the priority list.
And businesses such as haulage firms and taxi drivers say the ever-increasing cost of fuel could force them under if nothing is done to arrest the rising prices.
According to price comparison website www.petrolprices.com, the average cost of fuel in Stoke-on-Trent is 115.7 pence per litre for unleaded and 116.4 for diesel.
Those estimated prices stand relatively level with the national average. The previous petrol price high came in July 2008 when it reached 119.7p.
After taking a beating during the recession, businesses fear the price of fuel is yet another bullet they have to sidestep.
Terry Swinson, pictured, set up Denstone-based haulage firm Terry Swinson Transport in 1970. He said: "Recently there has been a bit of a light at the end of the tunnel, but whenever you see a light, there is usually someone trying to put it out."
Terry's business currently employs 28 people, and counts JCB among its client base.
He added: "Everyone has suffered during and a rise in fuel has a knock on effect, as businesses have to increase their prices."
The AA has urged Chancellor Alistair Darling to delay a 3p increase in petrol duty on April 1.
AA president Edmund King, said: "The UK is barely out of recession, yet petrol prices threaten to rise."
Research from the AA shows an average family with two cars is paying £52 a month more to fill up now, than a year ago.
Even if the proposed 3p increase is withdrawn, the price paid by drivers could soon hit 120p a litre – £5.41 a gallon – according to the AA.
The organisation says the price increases were caused by the rise in the price of wholesale gasoline since the end of January.
Cabbie Dave Burgess-Pearson, from Bucknall, says fuel is often the topic at the rank.
He said: "Another rise could send a lot of drivers under. I even have to turn down some long jobs, because I can't afford the diesel."
Motorist John Baldwin, from Chesterton, spends around £40 a week to get to B&M in Longton where he is store manager.
The 47-year-old, said: "The price is ludicrous. A rise just puts more pressure on people."
John and Dawn Williams, from Bentilee spend around £30 a week on petrol.
Dawn, aged 45, helps drive John, aged 60, to Longton where he works as a cleaner.
She said: "No one seems to be doing anything about this, and the price just keeps going up.
"We rely on the car to get about so we have no choice."
6 Comments
by Fuel Free, open road
Friday, March 19 2010, 7:16AM
“Jay, stone. Why not take your point one further and get that 50 % onto a bicycle. most jurneys for work are about the 5 mile mark and that can be done in 30 mins by a resonable unfit person. This would not only cut the need for fuel, release the roads of conjestion but transform the image of the city from the "lard arse fatties" to a slimmer fitter city.”
by jeffb, buxton
Thursday, March 18 2010, 8:51PM
“They governments could not give a toss on fuel risers by the petrol companys as they collect the increased fuel duty and VAT blaming the petrol giants for increased cost.”
by mark, fenton
Thursday, March 18 2010, 8:00PM
“and by the way jay,stone am just taking me wife,two kids and mother shopping on my moped im driving ,me mums on the handle bars, me wifes on the back and the kids well dunno where theyve gone must have fell off great”
by mark, fenton
Thursday, March 18 2010, 7:55PM
“as long as we pay it the higher it will keep getting,do you think the government gives a s*** and thats the trouble with us brits, we are all talk and no action”
by DR Shanker, stoke-on-trent
Thursday, March 18 2010, 7:36PM
“can i just say scooter may sound like a good idea, but people carn't afford the fuel costs never mind a scooter and if they just had scooter and got rid of the car what do they do when they have to do shopping or go out with family. im sure the oil isnt costing as much as we the public have to pay for it. the government is crooked.”
by Jay, Stone
Thursday, March 18 2010, 2:30PM
“Can i suggest that all motorists, who are able and willing, buy themselves a cheap scooter or small motorbike? Have a look at rush hour traffic, 99% of private cars going to a place of work have only one occupant, that's 4 extra seats being driven aroung at great expense. I know not everyone can ride on 2 powered wheels, but there's an awful lot who can.
Just imagine eh? If just 50% of people going to work suddenly quartered their fuel usage, that may give the petrol companies something to mull over.
Include the fact that if just 50% of motorised commuters were on two wheels, there wouldn't be a rush hour, or jams on the 'D' road. I know it's unpleasant in the rain, but there is excellent clothing now that doesn't cost the earth and people may find that, in good weather, two wheels are actually a lot of fun.
Worth a try wouldn't you say?”