Published: Friday, 15th February, 2008 12:30
Time to end the fuel monopoly?
By Tracy-Ann Carmichael
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FUELLING THE ARGUMENT: The Tesco filling station can have as many as 2,000 vehicles daily.
Pic by: Anndra Dubhacan
Moves to end Tesco’s petrol monopoly in Helensburgh are set to be explored.
And one way forward could be by opening a community-run filling station.
Helensburgh Community Council are to probe the possibility of a community business building a new station and then either running it or finding a petrol company to take it on and develop it as a business.
The idea was mooted by a community council member Stewart Noble at the organisation’s recent meeting in the Burgh’s Victoria Halls.
Nigel Millar, community council chairman, said: “The view is that Helensburgh needs another petrol station. The one at Tesco has almost been too successful. It’s very, very busy and on occasion you can’t get into the station. Sometimes it just runs out of fuel.
“Whether another major oil company can, or would, move into Helensburgh we don’t yet know and there would have to be some groundwork done on the issue. We would have to find out if it was feasible and, of course, approach the community to see if it’s what they want.”
Motorists in Helensburgh and Lomond have been left with only one petrol station since the Esso branch in East Clyde Street closed its doors.
The existing Tesco-run forecourt has repeatedly left motorists in the area high and dry after running out of fuel.
The outlet has been hit by driver numbers being much higher than expected — an anticipated 250 vehicles daily has escalated to as many as 2000 vehicles at times.
Locals have also hit out over waiting times and traffic congestion at the site but have been told that there is no possibility of the defunct Esso Consort station re-opening.
When plans for the Tesco station were given the green light there was an assurance that the Consort station would not close its doors.
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