HAULAGE firms in the town are bracing themselves for a huge surge in fuel prices following the Grangemouth oil refinery strike.

The average price of petrol and diesel is expected to rise for the 15th day in a row today.

Fears are growing that fuel prices could hit the £1.50 a litre mark by the summer.

And that has left many haulage firms in Swindon fearing the worst.

"I think you can say we are suffering in silence," said Bob Eddolls, who runs his own company Eddolls International Transport in Stratton Road.

"We haven't had any problems with supply. Even when we were in Scotland last week we were just restricted but the price has gone through the roof.

"This time last year I was paying 79p a litre.

"Now it's £1.03p, without VAT, and that's a 30 per cent increase.

"I've got a fleet of 10 vehicles and we use 6,000 litres of fuel a week. My fuel bill has gone up £7,500 a month."

Mr Eddolls says that he has been forced to pass on the increase to his customers, otherwise he would go out of business.

"As well as the price of petrol, the cost of steel has increased enormously because of the demand which is coming from China," he said. "Even the money being paid for scrap metal is unbelievable."

A smaller business but just dependant on fuel is Ellen's Express Transport from Peatmoor.

"Since we started in business five years ago our fuel price has gone up 56 per cent," said Jason Ellen.

"Perhaps it's time for the Government to look at the way they tax the fuel."

With the prices going through the roof, a strong economic case is being made for national road pricing, according to the Environmental Transport Association (ETA).

Director of the ETA Andrew Davis said: "At present, fuel duty makes up more than two thirds of the total cost of petrol.

"Not only will road pricing cut congestion, it will save motorists money as there will no longer be any fuel duty or vehicle excise duty.

"Most roads, most of the time, have no congestion, so most people will either pay the same or pay less.

"Most objections to road pricing are based on ill-founded concerns about invasion of privacy - people seem to overlook completely the fact it could ease the spiralling costs of motoring as well as help reduce congestion."