Highways England has published the findings from its M5 motorway
fuel price signage trial concluding that it has not delivered
sufficient impact or cost benefit to cover the capital cost and
operational costs of the service. This means there is no business
case for whole or partial public sector funding to roll out fuel
pricing signs to other motorway service areas on the motorway
network.
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “We had hoped this trial
would help to promote an element of competition among motorway
services’ fuel operators by overtly displaying prices to drivers,
but sadly all it’s proved is that motorway fuel is extremely
expensive wherever you buy it.
“This has been a very costly trial that has unfortunately
confirmed what we already knew that motorway service area
operators take advantage of drivers having to make ‘distressed’
fuel purchases.
"The RAC does not know of any reason why buying fuel on the
motorway should be on average 16p a litre more expensive than
buying it elsewhere. We urge the Government to investigate fuel
pricing at motorway services to make it fairer for every motorist
who needs to fill up at one.
“It is, however, positive that Highways England is now looking at
re-using the technology infrastructure that was installed for the
signs trial so that the investment is not completely wasted and
that some good can still come from it.”
