There are calls for fairer fuel prices as motorists in the Forest of Dean have to pay 15p per litre more than drivers in Gloucester.
Forest of Dean District Councillors are due to debate a motion this week which calls for rural pricing policies which would ensure rural communities are not discriminated against.
Former council leader Tim Gwilliam (Progressive Independent, Berry Hill) believes that it’s unfair for Foresters to have to pay a premium for diesel and petrol.
He said that, as of May 27, a litre of diesel at a Texaco garage in Coleford was priced at £1.589. While it cost £1.439 per litre at the Texaco petrol station at Westgate Bridge.
“A similar difference was found for petrol and also among all other fuel companies,” Cllr Gwilliam said in his motion.
“We in the Forest of Dean are used to paying a premium for delivery on goods , being as we are, clearly in the eyes of city dwelling organisations and businesses considered, in the back of beyond.
“It would, however, seem fair to suggest that the cost difference in delivering fuel from refineries in either the Middle East or from the southern United States is somewhat minimal whether that fuel be delivered to Westgate Bridge or 20 miles down the road to Coleford.”
His motion calls on current council leader Mark Topping (G, Lydney West and Aylburton) to write about the issue to Transport secretary and Forest MP Mark Harper.
If the motion is passed, Mr Harper will be asked to request fuel companies consider rural area pricing policies that, while allowing the vendor to earn a decent living, ensure that petrol and diesel pricing does not discriminate against rural communities such as the Forest of Dean.
Councillors will consider the motion at the full council meeting on July 27.
Texaco has been approached for comment.
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