Charity Sustrans is calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne to go ahead with a fuel duty increase in his budget this year, but only to use the money to fund transport ‘that everyone can benefit from’.
The charity has made the call as FairFuelUK has made preparations for a national day of action tomorrow (March 7th) calling for the planned 3p rise to be scrapped.
“People across the UK are struggling with petrol prices – and most have no choice about how to get around with major bus service cuts and eye-watering train fare rises," said Sustrans’ chief exec Malcolm Shepherd.
“But cutting fuel duty is a quick fix that won’t give us choice, keep us moving in the long run or help the quarter or Brits who can’t afford to run a car.
“The chancellor should stick with the rise, but spend the cash on improving public transport, especially in rural areas, and on making walking and cycling safer in our cities.
“Oil is running out and is only going to get more expensive – we need to make sure we build a transport system that keeps us moving when it’s all gone.”