MOTORISTS who use fuel stations in Royal Wootton Bassett are incensed by the prices two garages are charging compared to other locations in Swindon and Lyneham.

The independently owned Esso garage and the national company Euro Garages both operate in the town.

The Esso garage at Coped Hall currently charges 129.9p for unleaded and 134.9p for diesel while Euro currently charges 133.9 for unleaded and 136.9 for diesel.

However, last week two big four supermarkets announced plans to cut the cost of petrol.

Car owners say prices are significantly cheaper at petrol stations in Swindon. Asda in West Swindon is currently charging 114.7p for unleaded. Esso on Kingshill is charging 122.9.

Motorists took to social media sites to complain about the issue. Emma Jenkins posted in What’s Going On in Royal Wootton Bassett: “I just don’t understand why petrol is so much more expensive here. Yesterday in Swindon it was 115.9 for unleaded. It’s ridiculous!”

Luigi Smeegie responded by posting: “This is a reoccurring conversation that has been going on for two or three years. I emailed both companies who supply in RWB and asked the question ‘why’. The response I had was simply this - because they can, and people keep buying it. There is no logical reason, we are further away from the depot, we are difficult to get to, we have a lower turnover of fuel, it’s just that they get away with it because we keep buying it. Every time one of these posts comes up people shout ‘let’s stop buying from them’, but we never do.”

Rob Latus said: “Anyone who buys fuel in Bassett must have more money than sense. There’s just no need for it to be the price it is.

“Just stop buying it and the petrol stations will have to reduce the prices.”

Although not everyone is in agreement that the companies should have to justify the prices they are charging.

Tommy Butler said: “A business doesn’t have to justify its decisions.”

Michala Lancefield posted: “It’s called supply and demand, a captive audience. Look at motorway service station prices - the principle is the same.”

Motoring magazine Auto Express says supermarket forecourts usually offer the cheapest fuel prices because of the market power they hold. Chains like Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s are in competition and keep fuel prices as low as possible, hoping to encourage motorists to use their supermarkets when they go to fill up.

The owner of the independent declined to comment. Euro Garages had not responded to an approach as the Adver went to press.