AT last, at least you’ll have an idea of how much you’re going to get charged if you really do need to fill up at a motorway service station.
The government has announced (3 December 2014) it will press ahead with plans to introduce signs on motorways that display the price of fuel at service stations, to help promote competition and lower fuel prices.
The announcement was made as part of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.
Today’s announcement will ensure people can see the cheapest places to fill up, encouraging greater competition between service stations
A trial will be carried out by The Department for Transport on a new fuel comparison sign at 5 service stations on the M5 between Bristol and Exeter.
The government said it wished to introduce the signs by the end of 2015.
Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said:
“For too long drivers have been ripped off by petrol prices on motorways. This government wants to support the hardworking people of Britain and build a fairer society. Today’s announcement will ensure people can see the cheapest places to fill up, encouraging greater competition between service stations.”
The trial follows a report by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in January 2013 which called for more public information on UK petrol and diesel prices.
The OFT found fuel sold at motorway stations was on average 7.5 pence per litre more expensive for petrol, and 8.3 pence per litre for diesel, than across the rest of the country.
