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Counting cost of petrol prices
WORKERS in Selby have been hugely hit by massive fuel rises and commuting costs 25 per cent higher than those in cities, research has revealed.
The average monthly fuel cost in Selby is more than £80 a month – whereas the average in urban areas is £50. The average in a rural local authority area is £67 a month.
The report, from the Countryside Alliance, also reveals that costs have rocketed by more than £5 a month since the start of the year.
Jenny Dunn, policy researcher for the Countryside Alliance, said: “The unprecedented rise in fuel costs since the beginning of the year has placed a heavy burden on people who need their car to get to work.
“This burden weighs far heavier on rural people, for whom cars are a necessity due to the long commutes and lack of public transport options.
“The Countryside Alliance is urging the Chancellor to take action on the cost of fuel as a matter of urgency by cutting fuel duty. The future viability of rural businesses and communities are under severe threat from the spiralling costs of driving.”
Selby’s average fuel cost is the highest in Yorkshire.
Last week the AA revealed that drivers in the UK face the third highest diesel prices in Europe – with nearly 60 per cent going to the Treasury, while in Yorkshire, the average price of a litre of petrol has risen in the last year from £1.17 to £1.33, while diesel has risen from £1.20 to £1.38.
Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams said: “The Countryside Alliance are absolutely right to highlight this issue.
“I’m delighted that in his autumn statement the Chancellor has listened to MPs and the public and has sensibly decided not to increase duty at this time.
“This will come as a great relief to many Selby businesses and help them grow.
“Fuel costs are crippling the country and, in particular, having a drastic effect on those living in rural areas, and this is doing nothing to help the economy grow.”
Many rural areas in Yorkshire feature costs considerably higher than the national average.
Of the region’s authority areas classified as rural, Hambleton, Richmond, East Riding, Craven, Ryedale and Harrogate also featured costs higher than the national average.
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Weather for Selby
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
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Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
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