RHA queries the cost of diesel with OFT

The Road Haulage Association has written to the Office of Fair Trading asking them to enquire into why diesel fuel prices remain at a premium above those of petrol.

"We were told earlier this year that the reason diesel prices were then some 14 or 15 pence per litre more than the equivalent petrol price was due to world demand and a shortage of refining capacity", said RHA Chief Executive Roger King.

"Perhaps this was understandable when oil prices reached $143 per barrel but now that we are talking $50 or so dollars per barrel, it must be because demand has reduced as a result of a slow-down in global activity.

"Our question to the OFT and to the oil producers is why this hasn't been reflected in the diesel premium we are still paying? The UK haulage fleet alone is not doing the mileage it was earlier this year and many of our members have confirmed that they have 'mothballed' trucks as the recession reduces economic activity.

"So why haven't diesel prices come down to their traditional parity level with petrol? We believe that the OFT should ask some searching questions and we have asked them to do just that."