Ipswich motorists cut journeys as UK diesel price hits record £2 a litre
A former haulage driver warns rising transport costs could be passed on to customers as drivers feel the pressure at the pumps
Motorists in Ipswich say they are changing how and when they travel as the average UK price of diesel reaches £2 a litre for the first time.
RAC Fuel Watch data shows diesel reached an average of 200.01p per litre on 2 October — a record high.
The motoring organisation says filling a typical 55-litre diesel tank now costs around £110, almost £32 more than before the start of the US-Iran conflict at the end of February.
Petrol motorists are also paying considerably more, with the RAC putting the cost of filling a 55-litre petrol tank at £96.09.
The RAC attributes the sharp increase to disruption to fuel supplies resulting from the continuing conflict in the Middle East.
'I just don't travel as much'
Ipswich resident Charles Harris told us Suffolk the higher prices had already changed his behaviour.
"I just don't travel as much," he said.
"I plan out my journeys so that I get everything I want to do done in as few journeys as possible."
He estimated that topping up his own vehicle had previously cost him around £40 but was now costing around £60.
Tracey Shephard, who needs her vehicle for work, said driving was a necessity but rising prices had made her think more carefully about unnecessary journeys.
She said: "I do think a little bit more of not just popping out to places, wait until they need to go for a few things."
Another Ipswich resident, Sharon, said: "It's shocking love, I don't go out as much now." Pasted markdown
Ann Simpson, who said she and her partner were both pensioners, described current fuel prices as "absolutely disgusting".
However, she said the couple were determined to continue travelling to watch her grandson and his girlfriend play bowls for England.
"We want to keep that sort of lifestyle up, so they're not going to stop us," she said.
Warning over knock-on costs
Mr Harris, who previously worked in haulage, said he believed higher diesel costs would have consequences beyond motorists filling their own cars.
He said haulage companies faced a choice between absorbing increased costs or passing them on to customers.
"The fuel increase is going to affect everybody across the board," he said.
"It's going to affect the food you buy, anything you buy."
Mr Harris added: "Everything gets moved by road."
His comments reflect his own experience and assessment of the industry. The RAC has separately warned that record diesel prices will be particularly challenging for haulage and delivery companies and other businesses covering large numbers of miles, and said some businesses may have to pass additional costs on to customers.
Mr Harris called on the Government to consider reducing fuel duty, arguing that lower transport costs could support wider economic activity.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said reaching an average of £2 a litre was a threshold "no-one wanted to cross", adding that diesel prices were putting additional pressure on households and businesses.