Drivers’ concern at difference in fuel prices across region

A survey of garages in mid-Somerset has revealed remarkable variations in the price of fuel.

On Wednesday, August 4, we checked fuel prices at eight separate garages across the region.

The two most expensive prices for diesel and unleaded petrol were both recorded in the Cheddar area, while Street and Glastonbury had the lowest fuel prices.

Unleaded petrol prices ranged from 114.9p per litre at Sainsbury’s in Street to as much as 119.9p per litre at the Texaco station in Cheddar.

For someone who drives 15,000 miles a year in a two-litre Ford Focus (averaging 28 miles per gallon), this price difference would equate to an annual saving of £121.75.

Price variations were also present over smaller distances. In Glastonbury, the Texaco garage charged 1p more for both unleaded and diesel compared to Morrisons, which is less than half a mile down the road. In this case, Texaco may benefit from the passing traffic it receives on the A39.

A Mindee, a driver for Wookey Taxis, agrees that there is a noticeable variation in petrol prices across mid-Somerset.

He said: “I try to go to Morrisons in Glastonbury as often as possible for my petrol, because it is generally 3p cheaper than elsewhere.

“When you are getting a lot of fuel, it makes a big difference.”

Overall petrol prices have now risen eight per cent since last August, and a statement from the Retail Motor Industry Federation earlier this year expressed concern that “the price of petrol at the pump will only increase for the consumer”.

One person who has been affected is Terry Ricketts, a driving instructor who covers Wells, Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury.

“There’s no doubt about it, the price of fuel is unreasonable at the moment,” he said.

According to Philip Saunders, who runs the Shepton Private Hire taxi service, the mid-Somerset region suffers from too little competition, particularly compared to more urban areas.

He said: “Fuel in Shepton Mallet is very expensive. If you travel ten or 15 miles away, to places like Yeovil or Bristol, you can find petrol which is 4p per litre cheaper.

“I can save £2 on a full tank of petrol just by going elsewhere.

“Because I do long-distance journeys, I am fortunate enough to be able to shop around for my fuel in order to maintain competitive rates.”

But although greater choice is generally desirable for consumers, the survey’s results do challenge the perception that competition helps to drive down prices.

Despite having access to three petrol stations, Shepton Mallet’s customers are paying 1p more for their unleaded petrol than drivers in Wells, where Esso remains the sole supplier of fuel after a number of garage closures in recent years.

In fact, the same Ford Focus driver would save £24.38 a year by refuelling in Wells instead of Shepton Mallet.

It seems that the arrival of Tesco as a new supermarket fuel provider has not benefited Shepton in the way that Morrisons and Sainsbury’s have done in Glastonbury and Street by contributing to lower overall prices.