DRIVERS in Dorset are being left frustrated as fuel prices remain high despite a dip in global costs – and the AA has accused campaigning politicians of ignoring the issue.

Latest figures show the price of oil was five per cent lower per barrel in the first two weeks of this month compared with the first two weeks of March. However, prices at the pumps have continued to rise.

Yesterday, the BP garage on Castle Lane East in Bournemouth was advertising a litre of unleaded petrol for 115.9p and diesel for 129.9p, while the Esso on Barrack Road in Christchurch was selling unleaded for 110.9p and diesel for 116.9p.

Nationally, the average price is 113.29p per litre of unleaded, up 2p from last month, and 118.83p for diesel, compared with 118.19p in March.

This comes following hopes at the start of the year that prices might dip below the £1 mark after the cost dropped to as low as 103.9p in January at some supermarkets.

On the back of this, AA president Edmund King has criticised the main parties’ election manifestos for promising nothing on road fuel price transparency.

He said: “Cars are like blank cheques for whoever feels the need to balance the books by plundering drivers’ pockets.

“Motorists prop up the treasury to the tune of 10 per cent of the UK’s total tax-take, and now the fuel retailers are taking £3 a tank extra on diesel to steady their finances.”

Chairman of Bournemouth Taxi Association John Tye said the constant changes have a significant impact on cabbies, with many doing in excess of 30 or 40 thousand miles a year.

“We are in the hands of the oil companies and I don’t think there’s much any government could do to change things,” he said.

“Nothing we say will make any difference – there is no use us shouting and balling about it.

“It is usually the case that the oil companies are quick to respond when there is a rise [in world prices] but not when there is a reduction."

He added that there ‘is barely a cigarette paper’ between the main parties on the issue and described the amount of fuel duty drivers pay as ‘horrendous’.