Focusing On Fuel

21st March 2011

Members of The Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee have agreed a number of measures to help sustain rural petrol stations and address the current high fuel charges affecting people across the Highlands.

Top of the list of actions is for the council to continue to monitor fuel prices and their impacts and lobby the UK Government for the extension of any fuel price derogation to mainland Highland communities. The Council will also make further representations to the UK Government on the impact of fuel prices in the Highlands and the effect that fuel duty increases have. This will lay out the Members wishes for support to be put in place, as a matter of urgency, including the introduction of a fuel duty stabiliser and a derogation set at a meaningful level.

Members agreed to produce a lobbying brief on fuel issues in the Highlands for distribution to all political parties in advance of the Scottish Parliamentary elections. They will also lobby the Scottish Government on the need for serious capital assistance to enable rural petrol stations to update their tanks to enable them to handle bio-fuels.

The council also wants to see whether any revenue support can be provided to create a strategic network of fuel stations as a way of supporting rural communities and businesses and ensuring continued access to key services.

Chairman of the Committee, Councillor Ian Ross said: "As well as lobbying the UK and Scottish Governments we want to explore innovative solutions such as the introduction of electric and hydrogen vehicles as a pilot in local communities. Another area we want to explore is the potential of working with communities and other partners to support a strategic network of petrol stations through community ownership and the introduction of technology to allow for petrol stations to be automated.

"The message from Members of the Committee came over loud and clear that sustaining rural communities and key business sectors such as tourism is a priority. We want to work with local communities to help them during this difficult time and ensure everything is done to secure the future of rural petrol stations."

The Highland Council's Leader, Councillor Michael Foxley said: "Vehicles are essential for life in the Highlands with limited public transport. We need the UK Government to introduce a fuel duty stabiliser and a serious reduction in fuel duty for the rural areas as soon as possible.

"We must also work with HIE and the Scottish Government to ensure capital and revenue funds are available for a defined strategic network of filling stations. Otherwise locals will be disadvantaged and tourists will be unable to visit the remoter areas of the Highlands."