SOARING fuel prices could spark protests in the York area unless the Chancellor postpones a proposed duty increase.

Forecourt prices are predicted to rise even higher, after crude oil reached its highest price per barrel in the UK since the 1990 peak, and hit a record 42.33 dollars per barrel in the US.

The surge followed the terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia which left 22 people dead, and raised fears that terrorists could cripple Saudi Arabia's ability to export crude.

The price rises have sparked renewed calls for Chancellor Gordon Brown to scrap the 2p per litre increase in fuel duty, scheduled to come into effect on September 1. One York haulier, Simon Gill, of House of James Transport, at Dunnington, warned that unless the increase was at least put on hold, he was "100 per cent" sure there would be fuel protests in the York area.

He said haulage firms were already being badly hit by increases, which were having to be passed on to customers.

John Rhodes, of A Rhodes Haulage Ltd, of Hazel Bush Lane, York, said increases were having a severe impact, as they were a cost that hauliers could not control. He said he would like a postponement of the duty increase, but added: "I don't think miracles happen."

Andrew Spence, of the People's Fuel Lobby campaign group, said a "go-slow" protest was being planned for roads around Newcastle on Wednesday, June 9, and similar action was possible in the York area.

Len Cruddas, chief executive of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said the price increases were having an impact on businesses across the region. For example, a firm maintaining gas boilers and with a fleet of vans out on the road would find their costs had risen.

"Some of the smaller hauliers are under severe pressure," he said. "It would be nice if the duty increase was put on hold until prices have stabilised, at the very least."

A new survey has shown that drivers would back fresh demonstrations against price increase. As many as 70 per cent of motorists would support fuel blockades like those seen four years ago, according to the survey for motor insurance company, Churchill.

Roy Holloway, director of the Petrol Retailers Association, said: "Fuel protesters would be much less likely to take action if the Chancellor was to reconsider his September 1 fuel duty rise."

Updated: 10:54 Wednesday, June 02, 2004