Call for cheaper fuel welcomed

Farmer Brynle WIlliams still wants a cut in fuel taxes

A former leader of the fuel protests in Wales has welcomed the government's call for cheaper petrol.

It follows concerns that recent price reductions in crude oil are not being passed on to motorists.

The Energy Minister, Helen Liddell, has said she will raise the matter with the big oil companies.

Since September's fuel protests, which brought the country to a virtual standstill, the price of crude oil has continued to drop.

It is obviously a step in the right direction

Brynle Williams

But that drop has not been reflected in prices at the pumps.

Ministers now want that to change.

Meanwhile, Flintshire farmer, Brynle Williams, one of the leaders of the autumn's protest, who later called off the direct-action, has welcomed the news,

Mr Williams, from Cilcain, said he still believed the protestors had public support for lower fuel prices.

"It is obviously a step in the right direction," he said.

"But the government should get involved by reducing the tax of fuel."

Motorists have given the news a mixed response.

"I think fuel prices should be kept high because we should be using less fuel because of the problem of global warming," said one driver in Cardiff on Saturday.

Mrs Liddell will discuss the matter at her next meeting with fuel industry bosses.