Fuel prices: Rugby drivers still paying more at pumps

Buy photos» Petrol prices in Rugby are as much as 5p higher than some nearby towns and cities, while diesel costs between 2p and 1p more.

Dan Santy

02 December. Updated: 07 December 15:34

FUEL prices in Rugby remain much higher than those in some nearby towns and cities - with the gap widening even further over the past year.
The difference in the cost of petrol in Rugby is now as much as 6p per litre compared to that paid by neighbouring motorists in Leamington, Coventry, and Leicester.
And with prices currently sky high, it means drivers in Rugby are being hit harder in the pocket than others less than a half hour drive away.
This month, Sainsbury's on Dunchurch Road has been selling unleaded petrol for £1.35 per litre - whereas in Leicester and Leamington the same supermarket was offering £1.29.
Tesco on Leicester Road meanwhile was offering unleaded £1.35, while in Coventry drivers could fill up at the supermarket giant's store for £1.30.
The gap in the cost of diesel is not as wide, although people in Rugby will still pay between 1p and 2p more than some of their neighbours in the region.
Last year, the price of petrol was around 3pm more per litre in Rugby than neighbouring towns and cities - meaning the gap has widened even further in the past 12 months.
It works out to Rugby drivers paying around 27p extra for every gallon and £3 more for each full tank of fuel.
Motorist David Croskell, of Overslade Manor Drive, questioned why Sainsbury's and other supermarkets hit drivers in Rugby with higher prices at the pumps.
He said: "Perhaps this is one of the ways they have of paying for the recent store expansion. Unfortunately all the other outlets in Rugby seem to follow suit.
"Maybe Sainsbury's consider the people of Rugby are not affected by inflation or the recession."
A spokesman for Sainsbury's said its prices were designed to match those of its competitors in a given area - meaning if other petrol stations were to suddenly drop theirs', it would do the same.
He said: "By pricing locally we can adapt to the movements of our competitors. Our goal is to always be competitive so we constantly monitor the prices of our rivals.
“We do not have a national pricing policy. Instead we review our petrol and diesel prices regularly to ensure we always provide customers with great value."