Soaring petrol prices should be cut by 6p after wholesale cost dip, RAC urges

RECORD high fuel prices should be slashed after a steep drop in wholesale costs, the RAC urged.

The motoring group is demanding a 6p cut in the cost of a litre of petrol to “play fair with drivers”.

Average pump prices for the fuel have risen by 3p per litre since the start of the month, reaching 147p — despite a recent reduction in suppliers’ wholesale costs.

The failure to pass on savings is costing drivers an extra £3.50 every time they fill up a typical 55-litre family petrol car.

Diesel costs an average of 151p per litre, which the RAC believes should come down by 4p.

Simon Williams, of the RAC, said: “In the last few days, the wholesale price of petrol has fallen steeply, which means the biggest retailers are in a great position to cut prices and ease the burden being felt by drivers.”

He urged the big four supermarkets, which sell 45 per cent of all fuel to “do the right thing”.

He said they constantly buy new supply so are able to pass savings on straightaway.

Meanwhile, Andrew Spence, 54, who led fuel protests in 2000, is back in action.

The haulier-turned-farmer has organised a go-slow on the A1 into Newcastle today.