Thursday 24 March 2011

The increased cost of petrol is having a negative effect on the public


Petrol has been on the rise since the beginning of the year, and has had a negative impact on the public who need a car for everyday transport.

The public are feeling cheated by the increase in the price of petrol and have had to resort to giving up luxuries or changing their mode of transport which may not have a positive impact on their day to day lives. 

Cheryl Evans, 55, an Admin Clerk from Connah’s Quay, said: “I walk where possible now and have changed my car to one that uses less fuel.” 

Not everyone can walk to every destination if they live far away from their work place or supermarket and getting public transport cannot always be possible. Gill Benbow, 49, a Credit Controller from Hawarden, said: “I can’t use public transport, ride a bicycle or walk far distances. I broke my hip and back a year ago and it prevents me from using these modes of transport so the only way I can get around is to drive.” 

Students are also being affected by the price increase. Harriet Brierley, 20, a student at The University of Chester, said: “I think the price of petrol is getting out of hand. I will now think twice about going somewhere due to the fact that the cost is just not worth it.” 

Miss Brierley only uses her car to go to University and back and does not use public transport because she finds it can be unreliable. Sharing a lift with her mother has been a solution for Donna Cosworth, 38, a Cleaner from Buckley. “The increase has affected us quite severely, I share my mums car with her now, it is only small and uses a lot less petrol.” 

Miss Cosworth also added that they have cut down on luxuries and treats including, going out for dinner to pubs and buying less food at the super market, “We buy a lot less nice things” she added.
Petrol price increases have only had a negative impact on peoples day to day travel and lives. They think twice about going places and spend less on food at the supermarket. Personal luxuries have become a thing of the past, spoiling yourself seems to be when your car has a full tank of petrol.

With this struggle becoming more clear to the public and car manufacturers, this may force the motor industry to change and improve cars from petrol and diesel, to electric cars which are more environmentally friendly and cheaper for people to run.

Change costs money, to develop and create new technology to create these ideal vehicles. Colin Bernard, 51, a General Practitioner from Chester said, “Change means spending a lot of money and the government or manufacturers are not going to pay for that change to happen. If cars stay the same, then it is only the petrol prices that change which is far more convenient for them.” 

There would need to be stations in which you could charge your car when it runs out of power, special sockets and a large power source. All of which would need financial aid. 

“There would need to be so much change and so much money put into developing these ideal cars,” said Kath Ashcroft, 34, an Invoicing Supervisor from Broughton. “What other important cause would be neglected and delayed for this process to happen, the government seem to happy to spend the money on other causes they find more important than what is truly effecting and crippling the public, they should just put the prices of fuel down.”

David Wheeler, 41, a Sales Consultant from Broughton said, “With all the increases with fuel prices I doubt they will start changing cars now. The increase is ruining the progress the country has made from the recession, and because we cannot afford to put fuel in our cars I personally feel like we are going backwards.”