Soaring fuel prices and poor public transport will force Shropshire’s rural economy into the slow lane, it was claimed today.

The Country Land and Business Association in the West Midlands is warning that a combination of rising fuel costs, the threat of reduced bus services, a poor and expensive rail network and lack of access to fast broadband is threatening to bring economic recovery to a grinding halt.

Director Caroline Bedell said: “The current spate of fuel thefts in rural areas is simply one visible symptom of many more and deeper problems.

“The rural economy is ready and willing to play its part in helping our country trade itself out of recession, but is it able to?

“At the moment it feels like the opportunities are being blocked at every turn.

“Rural business provides the region with much more than quality food and attractive views. It is a hotbed of entrepreneurialism that in terms of economic output punches above its weight, yet is under threat of being stifled because it simply cannot afford to compete, continue or contribute.”

Ms Bedell said the transport system in areas like Shropshire was the “lifeblood” of the rural economy.

She said where there were bus and train services they were often “infrequent” and “expensive” and did not offer a viable alternative to the car.

She said: “An increasing number of premises remain unsold or unlet because they cannot access fast, affordable broadband or their location means raw materials and products would be expensive to move.

“The simple fact is that if you want to get food on the shelves of our towns and cities, and tourists and clients to rural businesses, the road is the only practical alternative.

“We need to address rising fuel prices, reconsider raising rail fares above inflation, and invest in rural transport networks, not reduce them.

“We also need the option of universal access to fast, affordable broadband.”

By Russell Roberts