Mark Nolan, of Middleton Stoney-based Nolan Oils, which runs five oil tankers around the county, was left disappointed by the Budget.

He said: “I had hoped the Chancellor would scrap the expected increase of 3.02p on a litre of diesel, or at least postpone it until January.

“But the increase is coming on August 1, just as we had feared.”

But he was pleased with the Chancellor’s undertaking not to increase road tax above the rate of inflation.

He said: “I think the excise duty is fair since we run very heavy lorries.”

He was also interested to hear the Chancellor re-affirm the Government was going to try to attract more investment in roads from private sources, but said: “If it involves introducing tolls on motorways, I am worried that more traffic will be forced on to smaller roads.”