2018-03-30 15:00
High prices at motorway petrol stations are facing an investigation after the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, said he was “concerned” they could be exploiting drivers. Grayling said expensive fuel could discourage motorists from filling up, and therefore pose a potential safety risk.
In a letter to the Andrea Coscelli, head of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Grayling said: “I am writing to raise concerns and request that the CMA consider opening an investigation into the retail price at Motorway Service Areas (MSAs).”
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Grayling continued: “I am concerned that prices which are higher than other forecourts may exploit users in a situation where there is less choice and competition, and discourage motorists from stopping and re-fuelling when, for safety reasons, they should.”
The UK’s 112-strong motorway services network is dominated by three big firms: Moto, Welcome Break and Road Chef. Grayling added: “I would welcome a view from the CMA on whether the three private companies that currently operate the majority of MSAs are exercising market power to the detriment of motorists.”
The average price for a litre of unleaded at a motorway services is 137.7p, compared to a nationwide average of 120.1p. Grayling highlighted that in 2011, RAC figures showed the gap between motorway and non-motorway prices was just 7.5p. He said he was aware motorway services face higher operating costs than normal garages, but considered the current price differentials were still not “fully explained”.
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Simon Williams, the RAC’s fuel spokesman, called Grayling’s letter: "great news for motorists", saying: "We have long called for something to be done about the cost of motorway fuel because there's nothing to justify the sky-high price. Drivers filling up at motorway services often put in the bare minimum but this can easily backfire. Running out of fuel on a motorway puts lives at risk."
A spokesperson for Roadchef told the BBC: "Roadchef does not operate the petrol station forecourts at any of our service areas and does not set the price of fuel. "A statement on Moto’s website, meanwhile, said: “We operate in a very different environment to most other retailers and once you see the costs of providing the facilities and services, the prices soon start to make sense.”
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