Firms’ fury over fuel price hikes
RECORD fuel prices are having a “catastrophic” impact on Tees Valley haulage firms.
Although the record-breaking $100 a barrel trade yesterday was likely to have been a one-off, the AA revealed the average cost of a litre of petrol at the pumps had risen to 103.3p, beating the previous record of 102.92p set on Boxing Day, while diesel had approached the record of 108.00p set on December 6.
Anne Preston, managing director of Stockton and Northallerton-based haulier Prestons of Potto, said the industry was struggling.
“This is not only hurting us, but the people we work for as well. It’s hurting UK manufacturing,” she said.
“Foreign trucks are continuously coming in with half our duty levels, and this is having a serious impact on us all.
“The Freight Transport Association and the Road Haulage Association have been fighting really hard with the Chancellor, but it seems to be to no avail.”
The price of crude oil showed no sign of easing back today as a weak dollar, global unrest and fears over declining US stocks contributed to record prices.
Since the 2005 fuel protests, which saw thousands of truckers gridlock Britain’s road, the price of fuel had gone up by as much as 12p a litre, said Mrs Preston. The firm’s fuel bill, which accounts for 34% of its operating costs, is now £7m a year.
“It’s disastrous and I’m really disappointed with this Government for not doing anything about it,” she said.
“Of the money it receives through fuel duty, very little is invested in improving our roads and all I can see in the future is more manufacturing being done abroad, as we pass on the cost to many of our major clients to survive.
“We will also see more foreign lorry drivers on our roads which goes against the Prime Minister’s promise of British jobs for British people.”
Frances Reed, managing director and owner of Middlesbrough-based removals company Pearson The Art Of Home Moving, said the latest price rise would be “catastrophic”, with firms having to find alternative ways of cutting costs.
The company had clawed back some of its spend from participating in a new Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) scheme, but it had not made up for the exceptional increase.
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