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| Protest threat at high fuel cost | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Lorry drivers are considering blockading oil refineries after diesel prices in Wales were revealed as the highest in the UK. | Lorry drivers are considering blockading oil refineries after diesel prices in Wales were revealed as the highest in the UK. |
| Wales is also one of the top four most expensive areas for unleaded petrol, according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) monthly report. | Wales is also one of the top four most expensive areas for unleaded petrol, according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) monthly report. |
| The South Wales Hauliers Association said drivers were considering action. | The South Wales Hauliers Association said drivers were considering action. |
| Environmental campaigners called for money from the duty on fuel to be used to improve rail and bus networks. | Environmental campaigners called for money from the duty on fuel to be used to improve rail and bus networks. |
| For the first time the average UK-wide monthly price for both unleaded petrol and diesel has topped £1 per litre, according to the IAM. | For the first time the average UK-wide monthly price for both unleaded petrol and diesel has topped £1 per litre, according to the IAM. |
| All it takes is one more spark and we'll be back at the refineries Mike Greene, South Wales Hauliers Association | All it takes is one more spark and we'll be back at the refineries Mike Greene, South Wales Hauliers Association |
| The monthly figures showed diesel prices in Wales have reached an average of £1.06 per litre, compared to the UK average of £1.05.44. | The monthly figures showed diesel prices in Wales have reached an average of £1.06 per litre, compared to the UK average of £1.05.44. |
| Mike Greene from the South Wales Hauliers Association said he had been inundated with calls. | |
| He said he had spent £4,750 more for his eight lorries on diesel this month compared to the start of the year. | |
| Mr Greene called the situation "shameful", adding: "We're talking now about going back to blockade the oil refineries. | |
| "The Scottish hauliers are all ready to go and I'm in contact with the Bristol hauliers too. | "The Scottish hauliers are all ready to go and I'm in contact with the Bristol hauliers too. |
| "All it takes is one more spark and we'll be back at the refineries." | "All it takes is one more spark and we'll be back at the refineries." |
| 'Price war' | 'Price war' |
| The IAM's head of policy for Wales, Tim Shallcross, said fuel prices in different parts of the UK tended to vary in three-monthly cycles, but prices were usually driven down by supermarket price wars. | The IAM's head of policy for Wales, Tim Shallcross, said fuel prices in different parts of the UK tended to vary in three-monthly cycles, but prices were usually driven down by supermarket price wars. |
| He said this did not happen as much in Wales, simply because there were fewer supermarkets in close proximity to each other than in other parts of Britain. | He said this did not happen as much in Wales, simply because there were fewer supermarkets in close proximity to each other than in other parts of Britain. |
| "What seems terribly unfair is we never seem to have much of a price war in Wales," he added. | "What seems terribly unfair is we never seem to have much of a price war in Wales," he added. |
| Environmental campaigners are calling for better public transport | Environmental campaigners are calling for better public transport |
| "The other thing that influences costs is distribution costs." | "The other thing that influences costs is distribution costs." |
| Mr Shallcross said it was more cost-effective to deliver fuel in areas where a number of petrol stations were closer together. | Mr Shallcross said it was more cost-effective to deliver fuel in areas where a number of petrol stations were closer together. |
| "That is a factor, but only a minor factor. The whole story is generally local competition," he added. | "That is a factor, but only a minor factor. The whole story is generally local competition," he added. |
| Gordon James, of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said the demand for oil was continuing to increase, but as a resource it was becoming more scarce. | |
| "People have to come to terms with this and adapt," he said. | "People have to come to terms with this and adapt," he said. |
| "It's very hard for individuals, but what we need is more energy-efficient cars and better public transport. | "It's very hard for individuals, but what we need is more energy-efficient cars and better public transport. |
| "The government must spend the money that's raised from the duty on fuel on improving rail and bus networks." | "The government must spend the money that's raised from the duty on fuel on improving rail and bus networks." |
| Mr James said money should be spent to help those living in rural areas who were being hit "particularly hard". | Mr James said money should be spent to help those living in rural areas who were being hit "particularly hard". |
| Rising fuel costs will be discussed on CF99 on S4C at 2215 GMT on Wednesday, with English subtitles. |