THE £6 gallon of petrol has arrived in North Yorkshire – and experts are warning that even higher prices are on the way.

Petrol and diesel prices have soared to record levels recently due to sky-high prices for crude oil, exacerbated by the crisis in Libya.

Filling stations in York and North and East Yorkshire are now charging between 128.9p and 135p for a litre of unleaded petrol, up by about 6p on January, when a litre of unleaded cost between 122.9p and 129.9p. 132p a litre equates to £6 for a gallon.

Diesel is even more expensive, costing between 134.9p and 142p a litre, having cost between 126.9p and 133.9p two months ago.

In the past year the price of oil has risen from $85 a barrel to $113 and is set to rise again.

Edmund King, AA President warned: “Over the past two years, the AA has warned that unbridled speculation in the oil markets and a constant drip of fuel tax rises would haemorrhage family finances to the point that it would damage the local and wider economy.”

Luke Bosdet, also of the AA, said: “The oil market is extremely volatile at present, and prices will continue to rise. Our advice to drivers is to ride out the storm. If you are finding the price of fuel hard to cope with, there are significant savings to be made from carpooling with neighbours and others in the local community.”

Chancellor George Osborne has faced demands for a cut in fuel duty, as he prepares for the budget in a fortnight’s time. Fuel duty is due to rise in April, but Mr Osborne told the Conservative Party conference last week: “I am doing everything I can to find a way to help.”

The Press compared prices at several filling stations around the area yesterday with figures at the beginning of January.

At Morrisons, Foss Islands Retail Park, York, unleaded has risen from 122.9p to 128.9p, and diesel from 127.9p to 134.9p.

At the Jet garage in Lawrence Street, unleaded was 125.9p but now costs 128.9p, with diesel up from 130.9p to 135.9p.

At Sainsbury’s, Jockey Lane, Monks Cross, unleaded is up from 125.9p two months ago to 127.9p, and diesel has increased from 129.9p to 132.9p.

Unleaded petrol could be bought in Pocklington in January for 121.9p but motorists may now pay 132.9p, with diesel having risen from 128.9p to 139.9p.

At Millgate, Selby, unleaded has increased from 126.9p to 132p, and diesel from 129.9p to 139.9p.

Two filling stations in Pickering were charging 136.9p for unleaded petrol yesterday and a filling station at Strensall, near York, was charging 135p.


York Press: The Press comment

Need to control fuel price hikes

PETROL prices have broken through the £6 a gallon barrier for the first time in British history, and with the political turmoil affecting the Middle East there are fears it could go much higher.

Soaring oil prices due to the unrest have seen unleaded petrol reach 132p a litre, according to figures released by the AA, and that’s a hike of 7p a litre since the start of the year.

In remote areas it could be even higher, yesterday we spotted a filling station in Pickering selling fuel for 136p a litre.

Of course we can’t blame the Chancellor for the recent rises, but he will deserve criticism if he doesn’t pay heed to how this is affecting us all.

There is growing pressure to force him into a U-turn over the 1p plus inflation duty rise set for April 1, which would add another 5p a litre – or 23p a gallon. And we add our voice to this plea.

The message to George Osborne is quite simple. We are putting up with the austerity measures because most of us realise the national debt needs to be addressed, but something has to be done about the price of fuel before only the rich can afford to run a car.

And Mr Osborne would do well to note that most people who vote are far from wealthy.

York Press: What do you think?