HAULIERS around Worcestershire have reacted sceptically to new measures to cut petrol prices and road tax.

Chancellor Gordon Brown yesterday announced a duty freeze on all types of fuel and a cut of 2p and 3p per litre to new green ultra low sulphur petrol and diesel.

He also launched a "Brit-disc" for foreign hauliers, making them pay to use British roads.

And domestic hauliers have been promised cuts to vehicle excise duty of around £715 per year.

Farmers in the county will no longer pay VED on tractors or machinery, while "red" diesel duty will be frozen.

Nigel Deacon, of European distribution firm Westbourne Services, said he broadly welcomed the package.

But the reductions would not stop his plans to halve his two-strong fleet, based in Honeybourne, near Evesham, from next February, because of spiralling costs.

"It won't stop my drivers filling up at Calais on the way out and the return, because the fuel over there is still so much cheaper," said Mr Deacon, whose VED currently stands at £2,500 per truck.

Richard Porter, who owns a 12-strong fleet of trucks in Hylton Road, Worcester, currently spends around £250,000 per year on fuel.

He said any reduction in fuel costs and excise duty were welcomed, but questioned their long-term benefit.

"I don't think it will have any great effect in the long term," he said.

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