Rising fuel costs continue to affect Lincolnshire

As the UK’s average fuel price edges perilously closer to £2 a litre, petrol stations in Lincoln are continuing to charge more and more at the pump.

According to comparison site PetrolPrices.com, which updates fuel prices across the country on a weekly basis, just four filling stations in Lincoln are offering 189.9p per litre – with the rest soaring beyond £1.90.

There have been multiple instances of fuel stations reaching beyond £2 a litre for either petrol, diesel or both in Lincolnshire, despite wholesale oil prices dropping globally over the last week.

The BP garage at Gonerby Moor charging over £2 a litre for petrol and diesel earlier in June. | Photo: R.S. Mortiss

The cheapest places to get petrol in Lincoln as of Wednesday, June 29 are:

The dearest for unleaded is Shell, at Burton Road at 193.9 per litre, and the most expensive for diesel is the Pitstop on Canwick Road at 204.9 per litre.

The RAC has predicted that the tide could be set to turn for prices, however, given the drop in wholesale costs.

It is hoped that the big retailers will start to reduce petrol prices at the pump as wholesale continues to fall, but diesel costs offer a worrying possibility that an average cost of £2 a litre may not be too far in the future.

According to data analysis by the RAC, wholesale petrol costs are around 80.44p per litre, with 52.95p of fuel duty and 20% VAT bringing the average price up to 191.1p.

A 5p cut in fuel duty was announced in March by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, but the Competition and Markets Authority is investigating complaints that retailers have not passed this duty through, with a report due back on July 7.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said on Wednesday, June 22: “With the oil price falling and wholesale costs down over the last week, pressure is mounting on the biggest retailers to turn the tide and put petrol pump prices into reverse.

“It now seems we’ve reached the current petrol peak, so we expect to see the big four supermarkets start to cut their prices. As they dominate UK fuel retailing this should lead to others reducing their prices too which will benefit drivers everywhere.”

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The council wants to use the Spacehive platform to match funds for local projects

Councils in Lincolnshire are looking to set up a crowdfunding scheme to help raise money for local projects and community-based initiatives.

Boston Borough, East Lindsey and South Holland District Council, as the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, will invest an initial combined £34,000 into setting up the scheme with Spacehive.

If approved Boston and ELDC would contribute a further £30,000 to match-fund healthy community-based projects in their respective district. It is not yet clear if SHDC would do the same.

Boston’s cabinet and ELDC’s executive board will both discuss the plans at meetings next week, while SHDC’s own cabinet will vote later this month.

Reports before ELDC and Boston said: “Civic crowdfunding is becoming increasing popular due the numerous economic and social benefits it can deliver.

“Many local authorities across England have successfully used crowdfunding platforms to engage with local residents and businesses to develop projects and seek financial support group on-line pledges to match local authority contributions.”

They said crowdfunding in other areas showed a 250-300% return on investment for the community.

As part of the initiative the partnership would set up a Spacehive page later this year listing what funds are available and how much they are willing to match-fund.

Those organising community-based initiatives and proposals would set up their own project pages separately, including a breakdown of their budgets and targets.

Spacehive would verify the bids to ensure clear budgets and permissions are in place.

The projects could then pitch to the council, and other organisations such as the National Lottery, through the site. Projects can also be backed by general members of the public.

Authorities will monitor the project’s progress before making a decision.

More than 40 local authorities use Spacehive, including Cotswolds District Council.

A recently-100% funded project included a £21,997 amphitheatre in Chipping Campden, which the council gave £10,000.

For more information visit SpaceHive

Around 100 still standing in a Lincoln

A pre-fabricated building which is to be demolished. | Image: City of Lincoln Council

Lincoln’s pre-fab housing which has stood since the Second World War should be pulled down when the opportunity arises, a councillor has said.

Roughly 100 homes from the 1940s are still standing around the Outer Circle Drive area.

They were built to last around 20 years during the post-war housing shortage using pre-fabricated steel.

The planning committee voted this week to demolish one which had become “unfit for habitation”, and Councillor Edmund Strengiel called for others to follow when possible.

“It’s long overdue for prefab houses to be knocked down. These houses should only have lasted 20 years, although some may still be comfortable and liveable,” he told the meeting.

One pre-fab is deemed to be ‘unfit for habitation’ | Image: City of Lincoln Council

“In my hometown, many of these were demolished in the 1970s, and something much better was put in their place. We could have lovely bungalows here.”

He added: “I have no doubt people still want to live in them, and I’m not suggesting that anyone should be forced to move out if they don’t want to.

“To be fair to the council, money isn’t readily available. It would probably be a case of taking them down and replacing them one by one.

“But if the funds are there and the residents are happy, it is time for the council’s housing team to make that decision.”

Around 157,000 homes were constructed around the country after the war, although not many are still standing.

There are around 100 pre-fabs from the 1940s around Outer Circle Drive in Lincoln | Photo: City of Lincoln Council

The bungalow on Outer Circle Drive had fallen into disrepair after the tenant refused improvement works on several occasions.

It was declared void in March 2020 following a survey.

Planning committee members agreed to knock it down, with a report saying it is “in sub-standard condition and is uneconomical to repair.”

The house will now be demolished and the foundations removed, with the site then being levelled and turfed.

There are currently no plans to build on the plot of land, although it is an option in the future.