Drivers complain as Tuam's petrol pumps prove costly compared to city filling stations

By JACQUELINE HOGGE MOTORISTS in Tuam are paying over the odds at petrol pumps throughout the town, with prices averaging six cents more a litre compared to Galway city. A snap survey of filling stations in the town on Tuesday of this week showed the average price of a litre of petrol is €1.68.9, with a litre of diesel costing €1.57.9.[private] This is compared to prices in Galway city, where one of the cheapest locations for fuel is in Ballindooley on the Headford Road, where unleaded petrol costs €161.9 a litre. Elsewhere, Turloughmore is one of the cheapest places for fuel, with the village's two stations selling petrol for €160.9 a litre and diesel at €1.55.9. Last year, the Competition Authority confirmed it was monitoring a number of filling stations in Tuam over suggestions of price fixing, although no evidence was found that any agreement existed between the six stations. The current situation is a reversal of prices four years ago, when Tuam was one of the cheapest towns in the county for motoring fuel. Prices have risen by almost 50 cents a litre since 2008, when petrol could be bought for €1.19.9 a litre in the town, with diesel the more expensive option back then at €1.24.9 a litre. What was once considered a very expensive stop for fuel has now become one of the area's cheapest, with the opening of an unmanned petrol and diesel filling station in Claregalway. The Great Gas outlet opened last month and motorists from the city are believed to be driving down the Tuam road to avail of its cheaper fuel, with petrol selling for €1.59.9 a litre. The manager of a Tuam filling station said he believed prices were due to fall over the coming weeks but could offer no explanation for the difference in price between Tuam and other areas.[/private]