MP launches pump war
Laura Routledge • Published 14 Jan 2012 17:00
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NEWBURY MP Richard Benyon is driving a campaign to get equal petrol prices across the county - after discovering motorists in west Berkshire are coughing up more for their gas than their neighbours.
Mr Benyon has launched his own initiative to put the brakes on discrepancies in fuel prices in Berkshire and has published a list of the cheapest filling stations in the district so that motorists can work out their own savings.
He said: "I recently wrote to filling station owners to highlight the fact that fuel was more expensive in west Berkshire than in areas such as Reading and east Berkshire. They replied that this was due to a lack of competitive pricing incentives in this area. I have therefore launched the Let's Create Some Competition fuel price campaign.
"I have uploaded to my website a list of the best places to buy petrol and diesel locally and am encouraging my constituents to vote with their wallets and create a real incentive for filling stations to compete for our custom. If anyone can find cheaper petrol or diesel locally than listed, please let me know and I will update my website accordingly."
The list currently ranks Sainsbury's in Bath Road, Calcot, Chieveley Motor Company in Long Lane, Cold Ash, and Snax 24 Thatcham in Bath Road, Woolhampton, as the most cost effective places to buy petrol.
The cheapest places to fill up on diesel are again Chieveley Motor Company and Sainsbury's in Calcot, along with Sainsbury's in Kings Road, Newbury.
Mr Benyon added: "I appreciate that for some constituents it will not be worth travelling a longer distance for cheaper fuel, but they may wish to fill up at a cheaper station if passing."
View the full list at www.richardbenyon.com
In Earley this week the cheapest petrol was at Asda in Chalfont Way, where customers are charged 129.7p for unleaded fuel. The most expensive in the area was at the BP garages in Wokingham Road and Rushey Way, which both cost 130.9p.
In Woodley the only service station is the BP garage in Shepherds Hill, which charges 131.9p for unleaded fuel.
*DRIVERS can also find the closest and cheapest petrol stations by using a new mobile phone app.
The petrol search app, which was launched on Wednesday by Poynt and Whatgas.com, will allow motorists to find the most cost effective places to fill up nearby.
Will Bradley, co-founder of Whatgas.com, said: "Fuel prices have risen significantly for everyone, petrol prices still vary considerably between nearby stations. The smart motorist can save as much as £5 to £10 per tank if they know the best place to fill up. We are delighted that Poynt users will now be able to access the Whatgas.com database to help them find the best station."
Smartphone users can download the new Poynt app by visiting m.poynt.com on their mobile.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 12 Jan 12
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