Lib Dems call for ‘immediate’ cut in fuel duty to help motorists

Liberal Democrats have called for an immediate reduction in fuel duty to help cut prices for motorists at the pump.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton made the plea as the party outlined actions it would take to help “get Scotland moving again”.

His party insists a reduction in fuel duty – something only the UK Government could do – is needed following surging prices for petrol and diesel caused by the conflict in Iran.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “Liberal Democrats are calling for an immediate cut in fuel duty to bring down prices at the pump.”

His plea came as he outlined a number of measures his party wants introduced to help tackle “dangerous” roads.

The party wants a new, dangerous roads programme developed, based on data from traffic accidents, with a coding system that could then be used to trigger actions such as the use of road policing cameras, changes to the speed limit, resurfacing work, improved lighting, or even considering creating new bypasses or dual carriageways.

Liberal Democrats also want to see work to dual the A9 road, between Perth and Inverness, speeded up, and say they would develop a timetable for dualling the A96 – which runs from Aberdeen to Inverness – within 100 days should they win the May 7 Holyrood election.

The party is also backing the use of speed awareness courses for motorists caught breaching the speed limit, as a means of reducing such behaviour.

Mr Cole-Hamilton spoke out on the issues as he visited the Knockhill race track in Fife, saying it was “time to fix the damn roads and get Scotland moving again”.

He stated: “It has been 19 years since the SNP came to power with big promises of smooth shiny roads – now  people are fed up of waiting.

“Under the SNP, Scotland’s roads are in a terrible state and the dualling of crucial trunk roads is miles behind schedule.

“Just like the ferries, they have become a symbol of how our infrastructure has been neglected under the SNP. These are basic things that people expect the Government to get right.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have a realistic plan to get Scotland moving again. By improving core connections, driving progress on major projects such as dualling the A9 and tunnels for Shetland, we will boost regional development and rejuvenate our economy.”