Express & Star comment: Motorway fuel prices are scandal
The price of fuel at service stations on Britain's motorways is nothing short of a national scandal.
Diesel and petrol can cost around 20p more per litre than on forecourts elsewhere, a difference that Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has branded 'exploitative'.
Service station operators say the prices reflect the cost of running their operations, but such arguments are unlikely to carry much truck with long suffering motorists.
They are fully aware that being located on a motorway leaves drivers with less choice.
The view is, that with the competition out of the way, these operators are effectively able to charge what they want.
Not only does this result in customers getting ripped off, but it also has an impact on road safety.
If prices are too high, drivers are less likely to stop, which means they may not be taking a much needed rest break.
Let us not forget, fuel prices in general have rocketed in recent years, with drivers of diesel vehicles in particular feeling the pinch.
In many other countries around Europe, motorway rest stops offer a pleasant experience with a good range of restaurants and shops, and fuel prices that match those of stations in local towns and cities.
This is simply not the case here in the UK, and there is no doubt that many people have been put off from pulling over on our motorway network.
Mr Grayling is right to question whether the three companies that operate the majority of motorway service areas – Moto, Welcome Break and RoadChef – are exercising market power to the detriment of drivers.
It is worth remembering that in 2011 the average price difference was just 7.5p, meaning the situation has worsened drastically.
There is simply nothing to justify the sky-high prices charged for fuel at service stations.
The RAC has warned that as a result of the prices, drivers filling up motorway services often put in the bare minimum.
This increases the chances of people running out of fuel on a motorways, which again, can put lives at risk.
It is time these companies stopped treating drivers like hostages and took a long, hard look at their pricing policies.
