This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7421417.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Fuel costs hit remote transport | Fuel costs hit remote transport |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Transport services in rural areas are feeling the effects of ever-rising fuel prices, it has been warned. | Transport services in rural areas are feeling the effects of ever-rising fuel prices, it has been warned. |
| Tory MSP John Lamont said rural bus routes were in doubt, with the news of higher fuel bills forcing one Jeburgh firm to end its council contract. | Tory MSP John Lamont said rural bus routes were in doubt, with the news of higher fuel bills forcing one Jeburgh firm to end its council contract. |
| In addition, Orkney Council members are due to agree a fuel surcharge of about 25p for ferry passenger tickets. | In addition, Orkney Council members are due to agree a fuel surcharge of about 25p for ferry passenger tickets. |
| The question of petrol and diesel costs is due to be raised in a members' debate at Holyrood on Wednesday. | |
| See how UK petrol and diesel prices have risen | See how UK petrol and diesel prices have risen |
| On Tuesday, hundreds of lorry drivers angry at increasing fuel bills were travelling in convoy to protests in central London and along the M4 in Wales. | On Tuesday, hundreds of lorry drivers angry at increasing fuel bills were travelling in convoy to protests in central London and along the M4 in Wales. |
| Hauliers believe diesel prices topping 120p a litre, plus a planned 2p fuel tax rise, will drive firms "to the wall". | Hauliers believe diesel prices topping 120p a litre, plus a planned 2p fuel tax rise, will drive firms "to the wall". |
| Mr Lamont, MSP for Jedburgh and Kelso, said there would be an inevitable loss of jobs and a question mark over some rural bus routes. | Mr Lamont, MSP for Jedburgh and Kelso, said there would be an inevitable loss of jobs and a question mark over some rural bus routes. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I wonder how many people have thought about the price that us poor souls who live in rural areas have to pay for our heating oil Lynn Leishman, Glasgow href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4852&edition=1&ttl=20080527154134">Send us your comments | |
| Scottish Borders Council confirmed it would have to re-tender for routes covering Jedburgh and Kelso to Edinburgh and Galashiels because the firm with the contract said money from the local authority was "unrealistic" when covering costs. | Scottish Borders Council confirmed it would have to re-tender for routes covering Jedburgh and Kelso to Edinburgh and Galashiels because the firm with the contract said money from the local authority was "unrealistic" when covering costs. |
| On Tuesday morning, a special meeting of Orkney Council's transport and infrastructure committee agreed to contribute 75% to the rising ferry fuel bill, but the remaining 25% would have to be paid for by passengers. | On Tuesday morning, a special meeting of Orkney Council's transport and infrastructure committee agreed to contribute 75% to the rising ferry fuel bill, but the remaining 25% would have to be paid for by passengers. |
| It is understood that would mean approximately 25p extra on a ticket for foot passengers, although it was not yet clear how much the rise would be for cars. | It is understood that would mean approximately 25p extra on a ticket for foot passengers, although it was not yet clear how much the rise would be for cars. |
| The matter will be discussed in further detail by the full council later. | The matter will be discussed in further detail by the full council later. |
| In the Scottish Parliament, Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan will propose that the UK Government should introduce a fuel tax regulator and vary fuel prices in rural and remote areas of Scotland. | In the Scottish Parliament, Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan will propose that the UK Government should introduce a fuel tax regulator and vary fuel prices in rural and remote areas of Scotland. |
| His motion has received backing from his fellow SNP MSPs and a number of Liberal Democrat MSPs, including former transport minister Tavish Scott. | His motion has received backing from his fellow SNP MSPs and a number of Liberal Democrat MSPs, including former transport minister Tavish Scott. |
| Mr Allan said: "The topic of every conversation in the Western Isles is the horrendous fuel costs facing island communities. | Mr Allan said: "The topic of every conversation in the Western Isles is the horrendous fuel costs facing island communities. |
| "Wednesday's debate will allow the Scottish Parliament to send a message to Gordon Brown and the UK Government that these exorbitant prices cannot be sustained." | "Wednesday's debate will allow the Scottish Parliament to send a message to Gordon Brown and the UK Government that these exorbitant prices cannot be sustained." |
| Return to story | Return to story |