Motor group calls for fuel price action

A Shropshire motoring group is calling for action over rocketing fuel costs. Fuel prices are set to rise by 5p per litre at the end of the month and there is to be a hike in the level of fuel duty from September 1.

Peter Roberts, chief executive officer of the Telford-based Drivers' Alliance, said difficult times were ahead for motorists.

He said: "With the fragile state of the British economy, this is the last thing we need.

"Families are struggling to pay the mortgage. With so many made redundant and looking for new jobs, they will need their cars to find employment.

"It is nothing short of madness to increase through taxation the cost of driving when people are struggling to survive. Drivers collectively pay £50 billion in taxes with only a small fraction being used to build or repair the roads we need.

"Government economic incompetence is wasting vast sums of money and yet again, the motorist is expected to foot the bill."

He added: "Mr Roberts said: "With the haulage industry already suffering its worst downturn for years, the cost of delivering the goods and services needed to keep the economy afloat can only increase."