Truckstops: the price is high
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Drivers have slammed truckstop and service station owners for ripping them off by overcharging for snacks, water, food and milk at their shops. A CM survey has confirmed that these everyday items cost far more at roadside outlets than they do at an ordinary supermarkets. This includes almost a pound's difference between identical sandwiches; a surcharge of 50% on milk—and a 33% surcharge on bottled water. Substantial discrepancies were also discovered between the four sites CM visited: Clackett's Lane on the M25; Truckworld at Thurrock; Brampton BP Services; and Alconbury, near Peterborough.
• One driver who stays clear of service station shops ("especially Roadchef") is Andy Fisk, who drives for MRCT out of Diss, Norfolk. He only goes to I3P shops to have a shower— and is not impressed by having to pay £2 for the privilege. Fisk also refuses to eat at truckstop restaurants.
"1 walked into the eat-in area at Clackett's for truckers," he says. "I walked up to the counter and was asked what I wanted. I said 'at those prices. nothing!' and walked out."
SABWIEDLE 13111FtECES
• Safeways in Sutton, Surrey: Tuna and cucumber sandwich, £1,39p; a pint of pasteurised milk, 28p; a 34.5g pack of Walkers cheese and onion crisps, 25p; 1.5Iit bottle of Coca-Cola, £1.09p; a 1.5Iit bottle of Highland Spring Water, 65p.
• Roadchef Road Shop, Clacketts Lane: Tuna and cucumber sandwich, £1.99p, a litre of pasteurised milk, 85p; a 50g pack of Walkers cheese and onion crisps, 59p; a 1.514 bottle of Coca-Cola, £1.59p.
• Truckworld, Thurrock, Essex: Sandwiches, £1.25p; a pint of pasteurised milk, 45p; a 50g pack of Walkers cheese and onion crisps, 35p; a 1.5Iit bottle of Coca-Cola, £1.35p; a 1.5Iit bottle of Highland Spring Water, 95p.
• Brampton BP Services: Tuna and cucumber sandwich, £1.39p; a pint of pasteurised milk, 39p; a 50g pack of Walkers cheese and onion crisps, 38p; a 1.5Iit bottle of Coca-Cola, £1.29p; a 1.5Iit bottle of Highland Spring Water, 79p.
• Alconbury: Tuna and cucumber sandwich, £1.59p; a pint of pasteurised milk, 44p; a 50g pack of Walkers cheese and onion crisps, 38p; a 2.01it bottle of Coca-Cola, E1.49; a 1.5Iit bottle of Evian water, 79p. • David McKeown, who drives for Sawyers out of County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, agrees that there is a large variation in prices between regions. "Most items I can get 20p or more cheaper back in Ireland than here in the South of England," he says. "I don't use the shops if I can help it" • Frank Harpham from Manchester drives for Falcon Distribution, which has depots in Corby and Folkestone. "Don't go to Roadchef or any of the shops for goods," he confirms. -They're too expensive."
• David Hinchcliffe, a driver with All Hinchcliffe of Walmersley, says he is not surprised by CMs findings. "These shops rip you off," he says. "We are doing a service to the country and they are getting us to pay through the nose for simple items." Hinchcliffe reports that prices are much lower in the North—up to 40p less on some items, including bottles of Coke in service station shops.