Matthew Mycock, managing director of Autoglass®, which serves 1.5 million motorists every year, said: “Millions of motorists have been crying out for some help to make driving more affordable and it would have been political suicide if George Osborne had done nothing.

“A huge number of people who rely on their cars for their day-to-day lives are being priced off the roads and will see the Chancellor’s initiatives on fuel duty as a step in the right direction.

“The unexpected cut in fuel duty, allied to scrapping of the fuel duty escalator and the introduction of a structure to stabilise further rises, can only be welcomed and help stem the seemingly relentless upward trend in prices.

“There has been mounting anger among UK motorists who believe they are paying over the odds to drive on a crumbling road network.

“At last, there has been a measure of forecourt fairness for motorists who will be relieved that their pain at the pumps has been mitigated.

“The additional £100 million to fix potholes also has to be welcomed and is a sign of just how serious the problem has become. Our most recent survey highlighted potholes as the main concern on the roads for eight out of 10 motorists.

“There now has to be a coherent long-term motoring strategy in the UK covering not only fuel prices but also safety and infrastructure and politicians who do not seriously engage with the full gamut of concerns of drivers are inviting electoral disaster.”

More articles on: