Drivers taken for a ride by varying prices at the pumps

An Evening News survey has found big differences in fuel prices across the Lothians – with costs varying by up to 5p a litre within a few hundred yards.

Garages in the Capital were yesterday charging prices ranging from 115.9p per litre to 120.9p for unleaded, while there was a 6p difference between filling stations in Edinburgh and those in West Lothian.

The highest price being charged for diesel in the city was 121.9p per litre, while in West Lothian one garage in Broxburn was charging 121.9p for both unleaded and diesel.

Retailers today warned against drawing comparisons between different garages, but one leading motoring organisation said many Edinburgh drivers were now paying 8p a litre more than the UK average.

According to our checks, the most expensive price being charged in Edinburgh yesterday was 120.9p at the Shell garage in Craigleith Road.

Just a few hundred yards away, the price at Sainsbury's filling station was 115.9p.

Philip Gomm, a spokesman for the RAC Foundation, said: "These figures suggest many Edinburgh drivers are already paying 8p a litre more than the current average price on UK forecourts.

"Like all retailers, petrol station owners will charge what they think the market can stand. For motorists, the savings to be made filling up more cheaply by travelling further afield have to be weighed against the cost and inconvenience of doing so."

He added: "In the medium term it seems the bad news will keep on coming for those who have to drive. The oil price is creeping up again and there will be another 1p increase in fuel duty in October. There is also talk of VAT jumping from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent after the election."

However, Brian Madderson, the chairman of the RMI Independent Petrol Retailers Association, said it was unfair to compare the prices being charged by independent retailers with those being charged by supermarkets.

He said: "The average hypermarket will probably buy in three billion litres a year, whereas your average Shell garage, which will be run by an independent trader, will probably buy in just three to four million litres.

"The new government, whatever colour it is, must take another look at the way they keep bashing the motorist with both duty and VAT. If they're not careful, they're going to kill the goose that lays the golden tax egg."

TANK'S A LOT

Most expensive

Shell, Craigleith Road: Unleaded 120.9p, diesel 121.9p

BP, Barclay Place: Unleaded 119.9p, diesel 119.9p

BP, Ratcliffe Terrace: Unleaded 119.9p, diesel 119.9p

Cheapest

Sainsbury's, Craigleith Road: Unleaded 115.9p, diesel 116.9p

Morrisons, Ferry Road: Unleaded 115.9p, diesel 116.9p

Morrisons, Portobello Road: Unleaded 115.9p, diesel 116.9p

Cabbies see fuel bills rise 25 a week

TAXI driver Raymond Davidson says rising fuel prices have added an extra 25 a week on to his costs this year.

A cabbie in the Capital for more than 30 years, he says it now takes between 70 and 75 to fill the tank of his cab with diesel.

"We fill up every day," he says, "so we notice it more than the ordinary driver.

"The current increases really started on 1 January when the VAT rate went back up to 17.5 per cent and then the prices continued to go up in February and then on 1 April with the Chancellor's Budget.

"The taxi drivers had wanted a change to the tariff because of it, but the council said no. We hope that's something that can be looked at again in the near future."

He adds: "The fuel price is having quite an effect on us. I wouldn't say it's crippling us, but we could do without anymore increases."