Panic fuels petrol scare (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Panic fuels petrol scare

Drivers stock up on supplies at the Kingshill Esso filling station Picture Ref: 99250-58Threats of action at fuel depots have prompted stockpiling and bus fare hike fears, says Kevin Shoesmith reports:

BUS passengers face an unknown hike in fares as the row over fuel prices deepens.

John Owen, managing director of Thamesdown Transport, said it was "highly likely" fares would rise next month.

The grim news comes as fears grow in Swindon that there could be a possible repeat of the fuel shortages seen in 2000.

Mr Owen said the company recently relocated to a new depot at Barnfield had tried to absorb soaring fuel costs for months but could no longer afford to do so.

"We are likely to increase our fares in early October," said Mr Owen.

"Our board have met and agreed in principle to raising single and return fares. But it should be stressed that not every 'i' has been dotted and every 't' crossed.

"A final decision giving the amount by which fares will rise will be made in the next few days."

Over the past year, motorists have seen fuel rise from 60p a litre to just over 80p.

He said: "We can't keep the fares down while prices continue to rise like that. We lose £20,000 a year for every 1p that diesel goes up. The board of directors has confirmed that saver tickets and other passes will not increase only single and return tickets."

Mr Owen blames the Government for the fuel protests planned for Wednesday but he does not back the protesters.

He said: "I do not see what it will achieve. If we remember what happened in 2000 all the protests did was cause disruption to businesses and commuters."

Thamesdown Transport carries around eight million passengers each year and has an annual turnover of more than £10m.

Motorists in the town have been warned not to panic-buy as protests over soaring petrol prices loom.

Town leaders fear a repeat of scenes in 2000, when nervous motorists began stockpiling fuel after similar protests outside oil refineries.

As reported in late edition of yesterday's Advertiser, the first signs of panic-buying were evident in Swindon as motorists have already started preparing for fuel shortages.

Drivers have been queuing at garages across the town to fill up their tanks and jerry cans.

Some petrol stations said they had run out of unleaded and diesel over the weekend as people stocked up.

Many said they had been experiencing a marked increase in demand.

But Swindon Council is urging people to be sensible and not to stockpile.

Spokeswoman Sheila Roberts said: "Transporting and storing fuel carries many risks. Ask yourself if it is really worth it.

"We also want to remind everyone that it is illegal to store more than three gallons in one place without a licence. Even small amounts of petrol must be transported and stored in an appropriate container."

The Fuel Lobby is planning protests about the price of fuel, which has reached £1 a litre after rising more than 20 per cent in recent months.

A motorway "go slow" is also planned for the M4, which will cause misery for commuters.

Analysts are waiting to see what impact Hurricane Katrina has on the situation. The Asda Walmart filling station in Orbital Way, north Swindon had to close briefly yesterday after its tanks ran dry.

It was also forced to close early last Friday and Saturday following high demand.

A cashier said: "We had to order another tanker people are definitely panic buying with these protests on the cards.

"We have been very busy all day."

Customers at the filling station at Sainsbury's in Stratton experienced queues yesterday morning as they filled up on their way into Swindon.

One employee said: "It's been extremely busy, at times every pump has been full and there have been queues of 10 cars outside waiting. We have also seen one or two jerry cans."

But Paul Foley, at the South Marston Service Station, said business had been constant but not at panic buying proportions.

He said: "It hasn't been too bad here, I don't think people are panic buying just yet, it is not as bad as a few years ago but who knows what's going to happen over the next few days."

Campaigners from the Fuel Lobby have given ministers until today (Tues) to meet them to discuss their grievances or face the protests.

Here to help

HELP is at hand for anyone wanting to attend the Swindon Advertiser career and jobs exhibition but is worried about using their own petrol to get there. There is a free courtesy bus ferrying people to the De Vere hotel throughout the day.

It will pick people up from Swindon Train Station at 9.40am, 10.55am, 12.15am, 1.50pm, 3pm, 4.20pm and 5.40pm.

It will also pick up passengers from the Swindon College bus lay-by five minutes after its departure from the train station. The return buses will leave the De Vere at 11.55am, 1.30pm, 2.40pm, 4pm, 5.20pm and 7.10pm.

Scene repeated across country

Petrol retailers have appealed for calm as some forecourts warned they could run dry amid panic-buying by motorists in advance of expected fuel protests.

Ray Holloway, director of the Petrol Retailers Association, said there had been some instances of panic buying of fuel but said the situation "did not compare" with anything from 2000.

His remarks were made as some petrol stations warned they would run out of fuel if demand continued.

Protesters from the Fuel Lobby have given ministers until today to meet them or face three days of demonstrations.

The prospect of refinery blockades and spiralling prices have prompted fears of a repeat of scenes in 2000, when motorists faced long queues to buy fuel.

Andrew Spence, spokesman for the Fuel Lobby, claimed that panic buying was being exacerbated by claims that the Government may introduce controls on purchasing. He said: "We want one meeting with somebody who can really put the figures together and make a difference and from there they will avert Wednesday. Let's give dialogue a chance. Basically, they have got 24 hours to get to me," he added.

The Fuel Lobby is calling on the public to "attend" oil refineries from 6am on Wednesday to begin their protests.

"We are not calling for a blockade, but if oil companies decide they cannot send out lorries while there is a public presence at their site, then that is a matter for them," said Mr Spence.

A motorway go-slow is also planned for the M4 and campaigners have revealed that the port of Dover could be targeted.

The lobby has been sparked by the price of petrol, which has reached £1 a litre on many sites after rising more than 20 per cent in recent months.

Chancellor Gordon Brown is expected to tackle the subject in a speech to the TUC. He has already played down hopes that the Government will take unilateral action to cut the cost of fuel.

Graham Leach, chief economist at the Institute of Directors, urged the Chancellor to make a temporary cut in fuel duty. Mr Leach said: "This is a grossly distorted market already 47p of the 97p pump price for fuel is going in taxation.

"We can't do anything about the oil price immediately clearly the Government hasn't got control there."

Fuel laws

By law fuel must be in approved containers, permanently marked 'petroleum spirit highly flammable'.

The storage of any more fuel than this could affect household insurance policies.

Fuel must be kept in a well-ventilated shed or garage it is illegal to store it in a house, flat or any other accommodation.

Failure to store fuel properly could result in a fine of up to £5000. People are also risking a major fire or explosion.

Garages are not allowed to sell fuel to anyone unless they are putting it into an approved container either 5 litre plastic containers, or 5, 10, or 23 litre metal cans specially constructed to hold petrol, with metal caps fitted (jerry cans).

If planning to transport containers of fuel in a vehicle, they should be filled outside to prevent spillage inside the vehicle or the build-up of vapour.

Containers should be kept upright and prevented from falling over, and no smoking should be allowed inside the vehicle.

Kevin Shoesmith