THE launch of a petrol station has sparked a battle over fuel prices.

Supermarket chain Asda opened a garage at its Monkswood Way store in Stevenage on Friday, October 21, with unleaded petrol priced at 131.7p per litre and diesel at 136.7p.

The forecourt temporarily ran out of fuel that Sunday due to demand, as drivers were able to save more than 4p on petrol and 3p on diesel when compared with Stevenage’s rival garages.

Stevenage has since seen fuel prices decrease across the town, with Tesco’s The Forum garage dropping from 135.9ppl and 139.9ppl for petrol and diesel respectively to 131.9ppl and 136.9p.

Sainsbury’s petrol stations at Hitchin Road and Magpie Crescent have also had their fuel prices reduced by exactly the same amount.

Marked decreases in price have not been seen in Baldock, Hitchin or Letchworth GC.

The lower pricing in Stevenage follows years of inflated prices when compared with nearby towns such as Hatfield and Luton.

Jon Desborough, store manager at Asda Stevenage, said: “It’s great news for drivers that Asda has arrived in the town to bring the lowest price fuel to the people of Stevenage. As the only petrol retailer to have a national price cap we can guarantee a fair price for fuel to our customers and we encourage our rivals to follow our lead.”

The Comet asked Tesco and Sainsbury’s why drivers should have to depend on the arrival of an Asda petrol station to see fuel prices lowered.

Neither were able to provide a comment directly addressing this issue, stating that prices are set “on a regional basis” to ensure customers are offered a competitive price.

Pensioner Tony Shiel contacted The Comet after noticing the sudden drop on a shopping trip to Stevenage.

The 68-year-old Stotfold resident, who usually gets his petrol at Tesco’s in Baldock or Sainsbury’s in Letchworth GC, said: “I think the supermarkets have got a cartel to keep their prices artificially higher than they should be.

Only when Morrisons or Asda come in does it drop as their prices are cheaper.”

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