Residents in Upper Teesdale are facing heating oil costs that have more than doubled compared to last year, with prices exceeding £1,000 for tank refills. The absence of mains gas supply in Middleton-in-Teesdale forces many households to rely on this expensive heating method, raising concerns about affordability as winter approaches.
To mitigate costs, the Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services (UTASS) operates a buying group that allows residents to pool orders, potentially lowering prices by about 3p per litre. This initiative is crucial for helping families manage their heating expenses during a time of rising energy costs.