The Yorkshire Post understands that one South Yorkshire haulage firm has already gone out of business, and the Federation of Small Businesses said several others were believed to be "on the edge".

Tony Cherry, from Sheffield, the newly-elected FSB Yorkshire and Humber Policy chairman, also predicted "imminent" job losses among private coach and travel companies and removal firms due to the rising fuel costs and fall in house sales.

Last night Mr Cherry said the FSB Yorkshire and Humber Policy Unit, which represents 16,500 businesses, is urging Chancellor Alistair Darling to use tax revenue from road fuel price rises to help haulage firms to cope with rising costs and problems getting credit.

Mr Cherry added: "Many haulage companies are operating on long-term fixed service contracts which were negotiated before the excessive hikes of recent months and are running them at a loss. Business is so tough that hauliers do not want to put up their prices or try to re-negotiate contracts at this stage for fear that they will lose the business altogether.

"The credit crunch is adding to difficulties as it means that access to a vital source of finance has virtually dried up."

Haulage firms are facing more misery after oil prices broke the $130 a barrel mark yesterday. Oil is now a third more expensive than at the start of the year.

The rise is expected to increase the cost of petrol and diesel on UK forecourts. Motorists have already experienced the highest monthly increase in diesel prices this decade following oil's steady rise, according to the AA.

Between mid-April and mid-May, the AA said, the average price of diesel rose 6.76p to 124.17p a litre. The previous record rise – of 5.6p a litre – occurred between October and November last year. Since early last week, the price of petrol has risen 1.73p a litre while diesel has gone up 2.66p.

Mr Cherry added: "The situation is extremely serious. The Chancellor may find that the cost of acting now and offering help to these business is more cost-effective than dealing with the impact on the local economies if they go under."

Yesterday the Freight Transport Association called on the Government to halve UK diesel duty to help British firms to compete with their European rivals.

Andrew Palmer, the deputy regional director CBI Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "Fuel represents a large proportion of business costs in the freight sector and the difference between fuel costs in the UK and the rest of Europe is a major issue for the UK industry.

"European hauliers entering the UK have a very clear cost advantage. Since the Government's proposed Lorry Road User Charge proposals were abandoned, there has been little progress in addressing this problem. We urge the Government to work with the freight industry to find a solution to this unlevel playing field."

Nimble Thompson, chairman of the Institute of Directors in Yorkshire and the Humber, said rising fuel costs threatened business stability and job security. He added: "In order to avoid further economic turmoil, the Government must react quickly and rethink its tax strategy on this basic commodity to offer struggling companies immediate assistance and, most importantly, restore business confidence."

Earlier this month the Ernst & Young Item Club said it was not unreasonable to assume oil prices would continue to rise over the coming years.

Item economist Hetal Mehta said: "There is a major mismatch between supply and demand. Opec members appear unwilling or unable to raise their output while the thirst for oil, particularly in developing countries, appears to be unquenchable."