Plans for fuel discounts welcomed – but they should extend to Carmarthenshire

CARMARTHENSHIRE’S Executive Board Member for Rural Affairs has welcomed plans for fuel discounts for people in remote areas – but says they don’t go far enough.

Cllr Jim Jones said the Government proposals only currently extended to Gwynedd, Anglesey, Monmouthshire and Powys.

It means that, if successful, motorists in those rural areas will pay less at the pump than they do now.

The rebate scheme already applies in the Scottish islands and the Scilly Isles, and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has now said it could be broadened out to other remote UK locations.

The move aims to help those people living in remote locations where the cost of transporting fuel leads to a higher price at the pump.

For the proposal to be successful it will have to have permission from the European Commission.

Cllr Jones said: “This is something I very much welcome, and I hope that the Government is successful in getting this scheme extended to these remote areas.

“However, here in Carmarthenshire we have many remote and rural areas and I do believe that these should be included in the plans.

“The majority of people living in rural parts of the county are reliant on their cars to get around, and they are paying more for petrol and diesel than people in other parts of the county, because it costs more to transport the fuel to their areas.

“I would like to see parts of Carmarthenshire included in this proposal and urge our MPs to lobby for this in Westminster.”

According to Whatgas.com Wales can often be an expensive place to buy petrol, especially in the more rural areas.

On its site it states: “Transportation costs and overheads of the more remote petrol stations often add to the price of the petrol.”

Its price listings for fuel in Llanelli was 130.9 for unleaded, 135.9 for diesel; in the Gwendraeth Valley it was 132.9 and 143.9; and outside Carmarthen 135.9 and 143.9.