Copy of a letter from former town councillor to owner of Overmonnow Garage

I am writing to you as you are the owner of the Overmonnow Garage Monmouth, to ask whether you have any influence on setting the price of Shell’s fuel?

Are you aware that the price is at least 10p per litre higher than any others,including Shell’s?

At 157.9 pence per litre today, it has been rising steadily and I understand is to go up again in the next few days.

That means a difference of at least £4 to fill the tank of my small car, a Suzuki Swift. A tourist from Cornwall who complained in disbelief at the till of the difference of 20p per litre,compared to that at home, is not likely to return.

You will be aware that Monmouth has no other petrol station,I am sure,but are you also aware of the damage being done to Monmouth’s economy? Anyone living on Monmouth’s outskirts and inevitably having to use a car to shop,will choose to fill up in Chepstow Abergavenny or Hereford (Each 17 miles away from Monmouth, or even Newport (23 miles) and do their shopping there.

By avoiding the outrageous and seemingly, arbitrary petrol costs in Monmouth we are forced to drive further,increasing pollution and carbon output.

Many of us would prefer to use public transport, but we have no rail station or coach links.A car is often our only option,for longer journeys.

At these times,I always buy fuel en route,never in Monmouth.

If the price of petrol is raised in order to discourage petrol consumption and encourage the change to electric vehicles,I would understand,but Overmonnow’s outstanding price seems to imply simple greed.

I will be copying this letter to our local paper The Monmouthshire Beacon,so would be very grateful to know, firstly, why is Overmonnow Garage charging so much more than almost any other, across Britain,apart from motorway service stations?

Anthea Dewhurst