Horrors on the road when filling up your tank
Halloween is the time of year when a good scare is perfectly acceptable, but as local estate agents who've served Darlington for years, we've uncovered something that's giving motorists nightmares all year round: Darlington's fuel prices are the highest in the Tees Valley region.
A Tale of Two Headlines
We were initially delighted to read recent news declaring Darlington as the best place in the North East to drive to work. As estate agents who live and breathe Darlington life, we absolutely agree that our town has so much to offer. There's nothing better than seeing our beloved community painted in a positive light – after all, great press often leads to more people discovering what we already know about this wonderful place.
The study awarded Darlington an impressive 7.7 score, citing factors including parking costs, fuel prices, road conditions and journey delays. However, something didn't quite ring true for us. Having lived and worked in the area for years, filling up our own cars at local stations, we suspected there was more to the story.
The Frightening Facts
Our local knowledge prompted us to investigate further. After checking current fuel prices across the Tees Valley, with use of the carwow site, we discovered some startling figures:
- Darlington's best petrol price: 130.7p per litre
- Hartlepool's best petrol price: 126.7p per litre
- Darlington's best diesel price: 138.7p per litre
- Hartlepool's best diesel price: 132.9p per litre
In real terms, this means Darlington drivers are paying £2.20 more to fill up a typical family car compared to their Hartlepool neighbours.
Why Share This Spooky News?
As your local property experts, we believe in telling the whole story about life in Darlington, not just the highlight reel. Here's why:
- We live here too, and we understand the real costs of local living
- Our experience tells us that informed buyers make happier residents
- We believe trust is built through honesty, not just good news
The Silver Lining
While fuel costs might give you a fright, there's still plenty to celebrate about Darlington's commuter credentials:
- Some of the lowest town centre parking fees in the North East
- Seven well-maintained radial cycle routes to the town centre
- A reliable public transport network
- A growing community of remote workers
- A clever circular cycle route connecting residential areas
Hannah Brittain, Creative Director at Anthony Jones Properties, shares her local insight: "As Darlington residents ourselves, we'd all like to pay less for petrol. While it's disappointing to see higher prices than neighbouring towns, we know from experience that Darlington's overall package for commuters remains compelling. The lower parking fees and variety of transport options mean many of our residents can reduce their reliance on car travel."
Looking Ahead
We conducted this research on Monday 28th October 2024, just days before the Autumn Budget. As local market experts, we'll be watching closely to see how any changes affect our community. While prices might shift across the board, our local knowledge suggests Darlington's position relative to neighbouring towns is likely to remain consistent.
Your Trusted Local Guides
At Anthony Jones Properties, we're more than just estate agents – we're your neighbours who understand what it really means to live and work in Darlington. For the complete picture of the Darlington property market and the issues that impact our community, stay connected with us.
For real insights from real locals about Darlington's property market and community life, follow Anthony Jones Properties.