UK motorists given new Iran war warning – not fuel prices | UK | News
British motorists have been warned that the Iran war could cause more problems for motorists beyond skyrocketing fuel prices. The conflict could also lead to increased costs of filling potholes and potentially make it harder to clear the backlog from road repairs, a senior city official said.
Ann Carruthers, Leicestershire County Council’s environment and transport manager, said price increases for Brent Crude would also increase the cost of oil-based bitumen used to fill potholes. Brent Crude Oil surpassed $109 (£82) per barrel on Saturday. Ms Carruthers said pothole repairs were already being affected by problems such as rising inflation and wet weather.
“There are emerging risks around the Iran war and what that does in terms of fuel costs,” Ms. Carruthers said at a recent council meeting. BBC.
“The cost of petroleum-based products has increased dramatically, which is directly reflected in our highway maintenance operations.”
Ms Carruthers said last winter was the worst in Leicestershire for potholes and “defects” and warned it was a pattern across the country.
“We’ve made more than three times the amount we did last year, and we’re well above our highest peak before that,” he said.
“It’s not just in Leicestershire, this is affecting the whole country.”
According to the BBC, Leicestershire County Council received 2,933 reports of potholes on roads in February; This is up from 791 in February last year and 1,143 twelve months ago.
The Reform England-led authority has pledged £145 million to fix potholes in the county over the next four years.
Ms Carruthers said the council would use all the funding but warned it would “still not do what we need”.
Iran’s de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz caused Brent crude oil and natural gas prices to reach their highest level since 2022.
Approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply and liquefied natural gas passes through this narrow waterway.
Some countries have introduced fuel rationing in response to the crisis.
Reports of petrol stations across the country closing after running out of fuel have raised fears the UK could follow suit.
Both the Government and industry experts insisted there were no shortages.
