Motorists and business leaders have hailed the introduction of a discount fuel scheme as a major boost for the north.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Highland MP Danny Alexander was at Carrbridge yesterday to confirm prices at forecourts in 13 postcode areas in the region will be slashed by 5p a litre.
As exclusively revealed in the Press and Journal yesterday, the discount will apply from May 31.
Mr Alexander, MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, was at the Old Bridge Garage to unveil the Rural Fuel Rebate scheme.
Customers at the filling station yesterday were positive about the discount – but owner Dougie Macdonald was less optimistic.
Mr Alexander has campaigned to secure a fairer deal for drivers facing high petrol and diesel costs in recent years.
The price cut will be the first time the European Union has approved a fuel discount on the British mainland.
The 13 postcode areas which will benefit are IV54 Strathcarron, IV26 Ullapool, IV27 Lairg, PH41 Mallaig, KW12 Halkirk, PA80 Oban, PH36 Acharacle, IV22 Achnasheen, PA38 Appin, PH23 Carrbridge, PH19 Dalwhinnie, IV21 Gairloch and IV14 Strathpeffer.
Mr Alexander said: “This was one of the first things I raised in parliament.
“It is something I have been pressing for for many years. I remember being told in 2006 by a Labour minister that it could not be done.
“More importantly it will make a big difference. Some of the places with the highest fuel prices are where people need a car.”
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said: “I think it is a really positive development for the Highlands.
“The cost of fuel actually matters to individuals, businesses and communities, because of the reliance we have on the use of the car, and the relative lack of alternative means of public transport.
“The cut in price is very welcome as a boost to businesses and communities.”
Garage owner Dougie Macdonald said: “The 5p off is a help, but it still does not bring it down far enough.
“The biggest problem here is that we have got big supermarkets on one side and a large petrol company on the other.
“There is still a long way to go to try and compete with the prices. I suppose we could look for the oil companies to do more as well.
“It would be nice to think if the price came down as part of a set price all over, then it would make it easier for people to come and fuel up anywhere and everywhere.”