OVER the last month, motorists and businesses have been hit by the huge hike in petrol prices across the UK, with it hitting the pocket of drivers up and down the country.

In County Durham and Darlington, this is no different, and everyone is trying to search for the best fuel prices around the region to fill up their vehicles.

In the most recent data, the RAC said the jump in fuel prices was the second largest since 2000, while the average price of a litre of petrol has increased for the average driver between 5p and 8p per litre.

Read more: Average petrol price reaches £1.65 per litre

Even from the start of this week, the average price has risen from 158.7p to a UK-high of 165p.

Figures from data firm Experian Catalist show the average cost of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts has increased by 16p in the past month.

That has made the cost of filling a typical 55-litre family car nearly £9 more expensive.

The Northern Echo: Sainsbury's Petrol station in Darlington. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.Sainsbury's Petrol station in Darlington. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

People have started to boycott certain filling stations, due to the consistent ‘extortionate prices’ and others are on the lookout for the hidden petrol station gems within their communities.

The Northern Echo has scoured the price of petrol across County Durham and Darlington and have found the cheapest filling stations around. It seems like supermarket filling stations have managed to undercut the likes of Esso, Shell, and BP. Here’s what we found.

Darlington

  • Morrisons Morton Park – unleaded: 158.7p, diesel: 167.7p
  • Morrisons North Road – unleaded: 160.6p, diesel: 167.7p
  • Asda Darlington Automat – unleaded: 160.7p, diesel: 172.7p
  • Shell Haughton Road – unleaded: 161.9p, diesel: 173.9p
  • Esso Grange Road – unleaded: 162.9p, diesel: 176.9p  

Read more: Cheapest petrol stations to buy fuel in Darlington

Durham

  • Plawsworth Service Station – unleaded: 160.8p, diesel: 174.9p
  • Esso Durham (St Giles) – unleaded: 161.9p, diesel: 172.9p
  • Gulf A690 (Bells Hill Services) – unleaded: 161.9p, diesel: 171.9p
  • Tesco Durham Extra (Renneys Lane) – unleaded: 162.9p, diesel: 172.9p
  • BP Alma Place – unleaded: 163.9p, diesel: 179.9p

Bishop Auckland

  • Morrisons Bishop Auckland – unleaded: 155.7p, diesel: 166.9p
  • Jet B6282 (Etherley Moor) – unleaded: 156.9p, diesel: 179.9p
  • Chilton Way Service Area – unleaded: 157.9p, diesel: 169.9p
  • Asda Bishop Auckland – unleaded: 158.7p, diesel: 172p
  • Tesco Bishop Auckland – unleaded: 158.9p, diesel: 172.9p

Consett

  • Esso Consett – unleaded: 162.9p, diesel: 175.9p
  • Jet A691 (Parklands) – unleaded: 162.9p, diesel: 171.9p
  • Esso Morrisons – unleaded: 162.9p, diesel: 175.9p
  • Morrisons Consett – unleaded: 163.9p, diesel: 173.9p
  • Tesco Consett – unleaded: 164.9p, diesel: 175.9p

The Northern Echo: We compare the prices of fuel across County Durham and Darlington. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.We compare the prices of fuel across County Durham and Darlington. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.

Peterlee

  • ASDA Peterlee Yoden Way – unleaded: 160.7p, diesel: 172.1p
  • Morrisons Dalton Park – unleaded: 161.7p, diesel: 171.1p
  • Shell Durham Place (Gem Murton) – unleaded: 161.8p, diesel: 171.9p
  • Esso South Hetton Road – unleaded: 162.9p, diesel: 174.9p
  • Esso Hartlepool – unleaded: 163p, diesel: 179.9p

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said drivers “badly need a break from these relentless daily rises”.

Oil prices surged immediately after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but declined last week, leading to a cut in wholesale costs.

Read more: UK fuel prices: Diesel could reach as high as £3 a litre, MPs told

Mr Williams expressed hope that retailers will “soon start to pass on recent reductions in the price of wholesale fuel”, but warned they are “extremely conscious of protecting themselves from any more rises that could suddenly materialise”.

He added: “With the Spring Statement just a week away, drivers will be looking to the Chancellor to end their misery by cutting duty or VAT.

“One thing’s for sure: simply reiterating that fuel duty has been frozen at 58p a litre simply isn’t going to cut it.”

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