National Highways has given the UK’s largest motorway services operator permission to display new digital price signs on motorways, offering cheaper fuel as the cost of living crisis worsens.
Moto said the installation of the new signs is expected to start at five of its services over the coming months and that they will see prices drop by 15p per litre, ‘bringing them in line with prices at local high street forecourts’.
Chief executive Ken McMeikan said: ‘Today marks a hugely important next step in improving fuel price transparency on the motorways and in helping motorists’ money go further. We want to move quickly to install the signage and reduce prices at our sites as fast as we can.
‘We have worked tirelessly to show National Highways that the new signage is a very sensible measure that will allow us to reduce prices for motorists.
‘It’s been our ambition to find a way of lowering motorway fuel prices sustainably and to make a significant difference to what motorists pay on motorways. With the new digital fuel price signage, we will be well on the road to doing just that.’
Lancaster is slated to be among the first five service stations to get the new signs
Moto said approval for the new displays follows a successful trial at its Frankley site during 2021, which showed that a greater number of motorists turned into its site, meaning ‘fuel prices could be dropped for all’.
The trial was monitored and evaluated by National Highways over 12 months.
The process for gaining national network authorisation included analysis of the impact on safety – ensuring the signs did not pose a distraction risk to drivers – as well as providing a useful and effective information service.
The sign has been designed in line with the national Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions guidance, meaning that it is easily legible to drivers approaching them at the legal speed limit.
Moto said its ambition is to roll out the signs to all 47 of its forecourts.
