WHAT A 'RIP-OFF'

Bobby Barr of Q Cabs and Drew Gregg, who runs Motorsport Wheels in Lisburn and also manages local racing ace Lawrence Gibson, say that the cost of filling up your car has got out of hand.

Mr Barr has said that his firm refuses to raise their fares, saying it wouldn't be fair to pass the problem on to their customers.

At the time of going to print prices were as high as 122.9p per litre for petrol in the district, averaging at 121.9p.

"The Government has failed us and is letting the consumer down," Mr Barr said.

"The taxi industry in particular is suffering because people haven't the money to go out at the weekend because they're having to put so much in their cars.

"We are giving the Government over 70p a litre in tax and VAT to the Government while in Arab countries they pay on average 4p per litre. I understand that the oil has to be transported but even so what we're having to pay is extortinate.

"We can't pass it on to our customers because we know they are struggling too to make ends meet. In fact, we would like to bring prices back down."

Mr Gregg said he is now sending his drivers over to the Republic of Ireland to top up the fuel in his vans.

diesel

"I pay 1.15 euro for diesel across the border which is equivalent to 1 and even Southern companies are complaining about what they have to pay," he said.

"I don't feel guilty about it as the way I see it, our Government is ripping the motorist off whenever and wherever they get the chance.

"Why is there such differences in prices say between Australia, America and China and then the UK?"

He added, "In motorsport especially the extra fuel costs have a detrimental effect as to most competitors it is their hobby which already costs them a lot of money in running a competition car. One of the major expenses for the amateur is the actual travelling costs, to and from events, not just participating in the actual event.

hefty

"Lawrence Gibson, who competes at British Championship level, has to travel to mainland Britain for all his events and it means driving to Scotland, Wales and down near Dover in England to all the rallycross circuits and this can result in a hefty fuel bill.

"When you have a lorry or van with trailer on behind with competition car, it can be expensive."