Highland filling stations contacted about fuel scheme
Highland Council has written to operators of rural filling stations to make sure they are aware of a consultation on a fuel discount scheme.
The scheme that applies to the Scottish islands and the Isle of Scilly could be extended to cover parts of the UK mainland, including the Highlands.
It gives motorists a maximum 5p per litre reduction in duty.
The UK government is now looking at prices in 36 areas in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Highland Council said that it wanted to be sure operators were aware of the plans, and that submissions to the government's consultation needed to be made by 4 September.
Fuel prices have been sought by the UK government from almost 1,500 retailers ahead of making an application to the European Commission in the autumn for an extension to the scheme.
Businesses in the following areas have been asked for information:
- England - Cornwall, Cumbria, Devon, Herefordshire, North Yorkshire, Northumberland.
- Wales - Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Monmouthshire, Powys.
- Scotland - Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Dumfries and Galloway, Highland, Moray, Perth and Kinross, Scottish Borders, South Ayrshire.
- Northern Ireland - Antrim, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Coleraine, Cookston, Down, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Larne, Limavady, Magherafelt, Moyle, Newry and Mourne, Omagh, Strabane.
Highland councillor Drew Millar said the local authority was committed to working with other organisations to secure fair fuel prices across its area.
He said: "This consultation opens up the possibility of an extension of the islands' fuel rebate to remote mainland areas.
"It is important to highlight this opportunity to rural petrol retailers who need to provide evidence of recent prices to the Treasury."