The rate of increase in the price of petrol at the pumps has finally slowed, the AA has said.
Average petrol and diesel prices rose by a more modest 1.5p a litre between mid-June and mid-July, the AA revealed. This compared with 5p to 7p hikes endured by motorists during the period mid-May to mid-June.
The AA said that between mid-June and mid-July this year, average UK petrol prices rose 1.35p a litre to 119.51p, while diesel costs went up 1.52p to 133.08p.
It added that on Tuesday this week, for the second time in a fortnight, petrol prices fell mid week, something not seen since the middle of February.
Buying patterns over the last two weekends when supermarkets take a greater share of sales indicated slight price falls, suggesting a pivotal point for prices this year.
AA president Edmund King said: "It's difficult to be sure that petrol prices have reached their peak but, in the climate of high price volatility, the UK has come as close as it has in the past five months to a halt in soaring prices.
"It is ironic that this has happened on the day that the Chancellor announces a deferral of October's fuel duty increase, but the reality is that every little helps alleviate the pain of high fuel prices for the UK's beleaguered motorists."
