Colchester petrol prices return to March levels despite levy

The 5p reduction saw drivers save, on average, £3.30 each time they filled up their cars.

But with prices having steadily crept up over the past two months, the cost of petrol has returned to the levels previously seen two months ago, with numerous forecourts in and around Colchester selling fuel for 167p or more.

Such has been the increase in fuel prices, Department for Transport officials have even been tasked with naming and shaming the petrol stations which have failed to pass on the 5p price cut onto motorists.

As always, prices across different stations vary considerably – in some cases, by as much as 10p per litre.

It means some drivers could be shelling out £6 more than they need to each time they fill up their car – and with prices changing all the time, it often means there is a different station at the top of the leader board each week when it comes to buying cheap fuel.

Here are the cheapest places to fill up in Colchester for the week ahead.

1st – Sainsbury’s (Stanway): 164.9p per litre

Supermarkets are normally the cheapest place to fill up, and the case is no different in Colchester. This week, Asda has been knocked off top spot by Sainsbury’s. A 60-litre tank here costs £98.94.

2nd – Co-Op (Peartree Road): 165.9p per litre

In second place is the Co-Op in Peartree Road, which incidentally finds itself only two miles away from Colchester’s Sainsbury’s supermarket. A 60-litre tank here costs £99.54.

3rd – Asda (Turner Rise) – 168.9p per litre

Asda is normally top of the league when it comes to affordable fuel in Colchester, but that is not the case this week. Filling up here costs more than £100, with the final price coming to £101.22.

4th – Texaco (Mersea Road): 169.9p per litre

Coming in at 169.9p per litre, the Texaco in Mersea Road will cost £101.94 to fill up a 60-litre tank.

5th – Tesco (Highwoods and the Hythe): 171.9p per litre

In previous months, Tesco has offered some of the most affordable petrol prices in Colchester, but it is not the case this week. Coming in fifth place, prices here amount to £103.14 for a full tank of petrol.

Some petrol stations in Colchester briefly ran dry last month after protestors disrupted supply chains

6th – BP (Mersea Road): 173.9p per litre

Historically, the oil giants are more expensive than retailers, and it is once again the case here. BP, who reported annual profits of $6.2bn last month, charges 173.9p per litre for petrol at its forecourt in Mersea Road. It equates to £104.34 for a full tank.

7th – Gulf (Great Horksesley): 179.9p per litre

Found on the A134, this petrol station is one of the most expensive around Colchester. A 60-litre tank here costs a whopping £107.94.