Petrol and diesel prices in York have risen for the third time in a month since reaching their lowest level in almost four years at the beginning of January.
Sunday 8 February 2009
Drivers sit-in protest at petrol station clamping
A man staged an eight-hour sit-in protest in freezing conditions after his car was clamped at a filling station in Walthamstow. Nicholas Taylor, 56, had his car clamped by parking firm Citywatch in the BP petrol station in Forest Road, while he bought a sandwich from the shop.
The father-of-two, from Walthamstow, had intended to weather the snow and remain in the car overnight in protest against the £465 clamp release fee.
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Diesel climbs back over £1 mark
DIESEL prices tip-toed back over the pound barrier this week despite the cost and demand for oil continuing to drop. Petrol stations in Felixstowe and Martlesham Heath were both selling diesel at more than a pound per litre today as the poor exchange rate continued to hit fuel companies.
Average fuel prices dropped considerably in late 2008 as the price of oil plummeted, but they have been on the rise recently with an average 2p rise in the last two weeks. BP was selling diesel at 101.9p per litre at their station in Anzani Avenue, Felixstowe, and 100.9p per litre in Anson Road, Martlesham Heath. RAC motoring strategist Adrian Tink said: “Unfortunately it looks like we're seeing the end of falling fuel prices. “Given that demand for oil is down and the price of a barrel of oil is down, it seems very strange to motorists that the price at the pumps is on the up.
“Undoubtedly the blame will fall on the weak pound, but given the current economic climate it's difficult to swallow these rising prices. “Fuel retailers, oil producers and the Government need to do all they can to keep the prices down.” Experts believe the rises are likely to continue for some time, and with petrol prices rising at a similar rate, motorists may start to feel the squeeze. Oil prices are now almost as low as US$40 a barrel, but the national average diesel price topped £1 last week. There was some hope, however, as the pound rallied slightly today following the Bank of England's 0.5 per cent rate cut to a two-month high. Sterling climbed above 1.15 Euros for the first time since early December as interest rates fell to one per cent, while the European Central Bank kept rates at two per cent.
Doubt over 180 oil refinery jobs
The future of 180 oil refinery jobs on Teesside are in doubt after its Swiss owners said the site could soon be put up for sale. The Petroplus refinery at Seal Sands near Billingham could be turned into a terminal or storage facility.
Union leaders have expressed concern that vital skills needed to sustain Teesside's reliance on the chemical industry, could be lost. Petroplus said its refining operations had been hit by the global downturn. Evaluation process A spokesman for the company, which operates seven refineries in the UK and Europe, said: "The board of directors has reviewed the refinery operations and based on required future capital investments at the site, the company will evaluate strategic alternatives, including the potential sale or conversion to a terminal or storage facility. "During the evaluation process, the company will continue to operate the refinery and make the necessary investments for compliance with environmental, health and safety standards. "The company is committed to a smooth transition process and consideration for the welfare of employees and the supply of oil products into the community." A spokesman for the Unite union said it was vital that petrochemical skills on Teesside were retained wherever possible.
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