Tonight:
9°c
Fury on the forecourts as petrol prices stay high despite PM's threat
Benedict Moore-Bridger17.10.08
MOTORISTS today reacted with fury at "extortionate" petrol prices as London forecourts risked investigation by failing to heed Gordon Brown's call for lower rates at the pumps.
The Prime Minister demanded garage owners lower their prices or face an inquiry for failing to pass on the fall in global oil prices.
Three companies Morrisons, Asda and BP led the way by dropping unleaded to under £1 a litre. But despite the stark warning, drivers in the capital were today still facing high petrol costs. Texaco's Chelsea Cloisters, in Sloane Avenue, the country's most expensive petrol station, is charging 129.9p a litre for unleaded almost 23p a litre more than the London average of 107.6p and 139.9p for diesel.
Taxi driver John Hovis said: "If you are running low on fuel it is a convenient place to stop. The price is high but what can you do? This place has always been dear." A spokesman for Chevron, which supplies the garage, said: "The forecourt is owned by an independent operator and we have no involvement in pricing."
However, a source close to the owner said the prices were high to offset rent in the area and insisted residents were happy to pay to have a local pump.
Despite BP saying it was cutting fuel to 99.9 per litre "at a number" of outlets drivers were still paying 110.9p a litre for unleaded in Park Lane and 108.9p in Shepherd's Bush Green. Many drivers were going out of their way for a better deal.
Keely Spicer, 24, from Stepney, drove to the Isle of Dogs to fill her tank. She said: "I live nearer to a Sainsbury's petrol station but I come here because it is worth it.
"It's disgusting that I have to detour to get petrol at a reasonable price but it works out cheaper in the long run."
Humphrey King, 45, from the Isle of Dogs, said: "I used to go to Sainsbury's but it cost so much it made me angry.
"The prices should definitely come down, if Asda can do it, why can't everyone else?"
Reader views (12)
The price of petrol on the forecourt is exactly what the oil companies wish it to be, no more and no less. The price of a barrel of crude oil has only a marginal effect on this. The idea that Gordon Brown can huff and puff and blow the orice down is fanciful and insults the public's intelligence.
- Peter Haldane, London
What about central heating bills coming down? People can die from cold related illnesses,cars are a luxury.
- Stan White, leeds
Must b about time for gordon to re-introduce his proposal to put more tax on petrol. That should keep us all on the go.
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK
When Sarkozy tell ze supermarkets in France to keep prices down, zey do zat. When Brown tells petrol companies to do likewise, zey don't. Ze French banks keep interest levels bon, but ze English bank put zem up. After Brown give zem money! Is zis ze famous British humour?
- John Problem, Hackney Wick, London, UK
A local garage owner once put stickers on the pumps making clear that the amount he was getting out of the total charged was less than a third of the total customers were paying - interesting, though, that official enforcers came round to order him to take them down! Stickers saying 'Government Tax 68p per litre, garage charges 32p per litre' clearly strike too much of a chord...
- Damian Hockney, London, UK
Why did he not do anything months ago?! Anyhow it's the Nu Labor state taxes that are too high.
- Georgie, Islington, London
You could all 'get on your bikes'!? Well except the Taxi driver who seems to appreciate that buying anything in Chelsea is going to be expensive.
- Mark, London
Blair then Brown have always been the problem - this it typical New Labour , try and pass-the-buck and blame other parties . Over 70% of every litre goes to the taxman and Customs & Excise , to what end , to give back to bankers who have pushed this country towards bankrupty .
Brown's recent positioning of being on the people's side would have been better started in 1997 , and not used now as a smokescreen for his economic mismanagement .
Michael
Croydon
- Michael, Croydon , Surrey
How can Gordon Brown demand a price cut by service stations when he's the problem robbing everybody blind with the amount of tax on a litre. Bet he could hardly contain his laughter when he demanded that.
- Dave Robinson, Schuylkill Haven USA
Now that 'Calamity McDoom@ is involved expect petrol prices to double overnight....
- Ethan, UK
Why aren't they "reacting with fury" at Gordon Brown's 70% raid on every litre that is sold, rather than the insignificant amount that is retained by the retailer?
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
Brown's the problem. Why don't he take less out of it?
- Ted, London
