Pump Prices Tipped to Hit Pounds 1 a Litre

MOTORISTS today faced the threat of pump prices soaring to Pounds 1 a litre as crude oil hit Pounds 34 a barrel.

Some garages are charging up to 95p a litre for petrol and only fractionally less than Pounds 1 a litre for diesel.

The all-time high compares with Pounds 22 a barrel a year ago, with further increases likely.

The death of Saudi King Fahd added 80p a barrel and motoring organisations warn that drivers will have to pay more.

At the independent Butlers petrol station near Aldermaston a litre of unleaded now costs 95p and diesel costs 99.9p. The Texaco in the centre of Newbury is charging 92.9p a litre for unleaded.

Rail passengers using First Great Western, which operates into Paddington, are paying up to six per cent more for tickets to meet fuel costs.

Midland Mainline says standard business tickets will rise next month. The AA Motoring Trust wants the Chancellor to cut the tax on fuel which, at 67 per cent of the pump price, is Europe’s highest.