Petrol prices in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge have reached record highs this week, angering local motorists.
Highbridge district councillor Joe Leach, pictured, is among the local people who are fuming at the soaring prices.
He told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “It’s daylight robbery. Prices in Burnham and Highbridge seem to be artificially high because there are relatively few garages and no supermarket filling stations.”
“The higher competition in neighbouring towns like Weston and Bridgwater means motorists there pay 5p a litre less than us. It doesn’t seem fair.”
Unleaded prices have this week hit a record average of 121.76p per litre across the UK – although in the Burnham area, the costs are around 125p a litre.
Prices are expected to further rise in the New Year when increased fuel duties and higher VAT come into force.
But Highbridge town councillor Janet Keen, who used to run a petrol station, says she sympathises with local filling stations.
“The smaller independent outlets cannot buy fuel at the same prices as the supermarkets, which is unfair for them,” she said.
“The problem lies with the fuel suppliers, who are out to get as high a profit as possible.”
“The local filling stations’ profits are in fact often so small that many earn more from drinks and confectionery than the petrol itself.”
Meanwhile, the AA said this week that motorists would have to pay an average of almost £6 more to fill an average tank compared with the start of the year.
