The haulage industry has reacted positively to news that this summer's planned increase in fuel duty has been postponed until next year.
George Osborne had ruled out scrapping the scheduled 3p per litre hike for some time, but this week bowed to opposition by putting it off until January 2013.
While the manner of this latest Budget u-turn has been questioned by some, the move itself has actually been widely welcomed.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA), for instance, has said it is delighted that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has taken the decision, as it believes it will help commercial fleet operators save money.
Jack Semple, director of policy at the group, commented: "The duty increase would have added £1,200 a year to the cost of running a truck.
"More widely, the chancellor's decision will be welcomed by businesses and consumers across the entire economy."
Mr Osborne's announcement has also been commended by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), which said commercial fleet operators would have been "hit hard" if the fuel duty increase had gone ahead as planned.
James Hookham, managing director of the FTA, commented: "The chancellor now sees the merits of using fuel duty cuts to stimulate growth by keeping cash within businesses."
Mr Osborne's u-turn also represents a victory for campaign group FairFuelUK, which has been consistently putting pressure on the government on the issue of fuel taxation.
Peter Carroll, founder of the organisation, thanked the coalition for "listening and acting" on the concerns raised by opponents of the fuel duty increase. However, he warned that "serious longer term issues" concerning fuel pricing and taxation still need to be addressed.
The chancellor announced the delay in the fuel duty increase in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Mr Osborne said this will be funded by larger than expected departmental budget savings.
