RAC comments on findings of Highway England's motorway fuel price sign trial

Highways England has published the findings of its motorway fuel price signage trial concluding that it has not delivered sufficient impact or cost benefit. The signs, which showed the price of petrol and diesel at the next services on the southbound M5 from Bristol to Exeter, will not be rolled out nationally.

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.”