Northern Ireland

Consumer Council launches free fuel price-checker website

The Consumer Council has launched a free website to help people in Northern Ireland shop around when buying petrol and diesel
The Consumer Council has launched a free website to help people in Northern Ireland shop around when buying petrol and diesel The Consumer Council has launched a free website to help people in Northern Ireland shop around when buying petrol and diesel

THE Consumer Council has launched a free website to help people in Northern Ireland shop around when buying petrol and diesel.

The Fuel Price Checker allows consumers to check the highest, lowest and average price of petrol and diesel in their area to ensure they are getting the best value when topping up their tank.

With data taken from around Northern Ireland, it shows diesel is most expensive in Ballycastle and Ballymoney in Co Antrim, where motorists pay an average of 115.9p per litre.

These towns are followed by Newtownards, 115.2p per litre, and Newcastle and Downpatrick, both 114.9p litre.

Petrol is on average most expensive in Magherafelt, where drivers pay 113.2p per litre followed by Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Downpatrick, Newcastle, Newry and Newtownards, where a litre of petrol costs 112.9p.

In Belfast the average diesel is at 114.5p while petrol averages at 111p.

The table also shows the difference in prices for fuel within towns and cities.

In Newtownards, motorists can pay 116.9p per litre of diesel at one forecourt or 111.7p at another.

Petrol can also vary with motorists in Derry having the choice of paying for petrol at one garage for 113.9 per litre or another for 108.9p.

Richard Williams, Head of Transport Policy at The Consumer Council, said: "It has never been more important for consumers to save money on their household bills, which is why we are delighted to launch this new website that helps consumers make more informed decisions when purchasing petrol or diesel for their vehicle.”

"Our research showed that less than a third (31 per cent) of consumers in Northern Ireland shop around for their petrol and diesel. This is down from last year, where 45 per cent shopped around.

"It has always been vital for consumers shop around to ensure they are getting the best value for their money, and petrol and diesel are no exception.

"We would recommend that consumers use our free, online Fuel Price Checker the next time they are filling up to ensure that they are getting the most out of their money".

Consumers can save money on petrol or diesel for their vehicles by visiting: www.consumercouncil.org.uk/fuelpricechecker

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DIESEL AVERAGE

Ballycastle 115.9p

Ballymoney 115.9p

Newtownards 115.2p

Newcastle 114.9p

Downpatrick 114.9p

PETROL AVERAGE

Magherafelt 113.2p

Ballycastle 112.9p

Ballymoney 112.9p

Downpatrick 112.9p

Newcastle 112.9p

Newry 112.9p