ANALYSIS: Fuel prices in Waterford city
As protests continue across the country, we have been recording fuel prices at five service stations in Waterford.
We analysed fuel prices at five separate fuel providers since April 1, Top Oil, Circle K, Certa Ireland (Tesco), Applegreen and Swift Oil, who all operate stations on one of Waterford's busiest routes.
Our route started at one of Waterford city’s most central stations, Top Oil (Daybreak) on the Park Road, then towards Circle K on the Dunmore Road, Certa at Tesco Ardkeen, Applegreen at the Holy Cross and Swift Oil (Gala) in Kilmeaden.
Circle K on the Dunmore Road was considerably more expensive than its competitors, with an average price of 223.7c for diesel across the month so far.
Top Oil on the Park Road had the cheapest diesel prices, an average of 210.9c.
Below are the full results.
Impacts of the crisis have been felt across the city and county, as drivers feel the pinch at the pumps, queues mount at service stations, and protests on road networks continue.
Meanwhile, the Council have voiced their own concerns, saying that fuel shortages could impact vital operations.
Speaking on the issue, Waterford City & County Council Director of Services, Gabriel Hynes, said that without receiving additional funding from the relevant government department, roadworks being undertaken by the Council will have to be reduced.
He added that crisis not only impacts the cost of operating the Council’s 250 vehicles, but has also resulted in a sharp rise in macadam prices.
“We have a yard in Dungarvan and a yard in Carrickphierish where we have bulk storage of diesel and fuels. We also use local garages to fuel up so obviously the current crisis is having an impact.
“We have roughly one week or maybe ten days supply and we’re at the peak of our roadworks programme. We have 250 vehicles working approximately so we have significant fuel demand.”
Mr. Hynes said that the relevant Government Department have been notified by the Council and it is expected that an inspector from the Department will meet with the Council in Waterford this week for discussions.
Mr. Hynes added, “We have to operate within budgets, and without getting additional budgets from the Department we certainly would have to look at reducing some of the roadworks we’re doing.”
(Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme)
