Motorists were today told not to panic amid fears of massive fuel shortages as oil refinery workers prepared to strike in a row over pensions.
But Wolverhampton drivers were ignoring Government advice today and waiting in lengthy queues at the petrol pumps.
Panic buying hit the city as 1,200 workers at Scotland’s Grangemouth oil refinery are set to strike from 6am tomorrow. The site is already closed.
Business Secretary John Hutton asked people to buy sensibly as the Government started putting contingency plans into place to deal with the strike.
He said: “There is every reason to believe we will get through this period sensibly if people continue to buy fuel sensibly. There is plenty of petrol and diesel in Scotland to meet demand during this period of time.”
But Mr Hutton’s words were being ignored by drivers across Wolverhampton and the rest of the Black Country.
Electrician Tony Levy, aged 57, of Linthouse Lane, Wednesfield, went to fill up at the Esso station, in Lichfield Road, Wednesfield.
He said: “I’m nervous about the strike because I’m self-employed. If I can’t get around in my van, I can’t work.”
There were also queues at the Shell station in Tettenhall Road.
David Byrne, aged 59 of Aldersley who filled up his van at 8.30am, said: “I am worried about this strike, I think a lot of people are. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
At Tesco Express, Highland Road, Dudley, some pumps ran dry.
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17 Comments
no wonder theres panic buying the government said theres plenty in other words no one believes this lying lot
I’ve travelled around a bit today and I’ve seen NO panic buying in either Tipton W.Brom, Wednesbury or Wolverhampton? There’s always a queue at the Shell garage on the Tettenhall Road as it is the only one around that area at present. When I came past it was only 3 cars long which normal. Stop making stuff up!
I agree with the previous comment, this goverment’s mantra is lie, lie, lie and if in doubt lie again, its no wonder we panic buy, no one takes a blind bit of notice of the goverment of spin!
Live now near Carlisle and near Ayr in Scotland they was rationing people to only £10 of fuelWhat a state of affairs this country is inbeing held to ranson with oils this i can forcee will make fuels go up at least another 15p a litre no wonder this country is going to end up in a ressesion as a British Citizen i find the country so gone down hill and to be honest wouldnt be asked twice if i had a chance to get out of England
sod the panic buying the fuel price is too high anyway. i shall walk if need to.
i live very close to the shell garage on the tettenhall road and get my petrol from there. I purchased my petrol at 7.30am on friday and by the time i got home at 4pm it had rose 2 pence, its disgusting!
i work at the tesco express highland road and can inform everyone that we do have petrol and are getting another delivery tomorrow!!!!!!
so please dont panic, this is just giving the government what they want!!!!
in other words save plenty for buses an taxis
panic buying ,the governments rubbing there hands .panic buying means more sales /more tax.
how to get people to panic (tell them not to and watch the money pour in ).
Just buy a bike and cyce to work, or move closer to where you work, or get a job closer to where you live, then you won’t have to worry about petrol prices and blockades - only the really, really stupid choose to live miles away from their workplace and then whinge when petrol prices go up.
P.S. Mick, you need to write “their” hands, not “there”. “Their” is a possessive pronoun, like “my” or “his”. Did you not learn that at school?
LoL!!
Not so long ago the Government said this country should find other forms of fuel because we do not want to be black mailed by other countries, I think they were thinking of Russia.
Would you believe it’s turned out to be the home of the Cabinet.
You could not make it up!!
if i could, i’d emmigrate, but i couldn’t abandon my parents in this dump.
EXACTLY mick. well said, lets hope the rest of the readers take the advice and dont panic buy
Unfortunately, you can’t always buy a house close to where you work, or find jobs close to where you live. Some people do have to travel. There are also those who don’t feel safe using public transport, or having to walk from bus stops to their homes, so prefer to drive instead.
It’s just not as clear cut as people think.
As for the fuel strike.. isn’t there a fuel strike every other week these days? Of course people will panic buy, whether it’s the sensible thing to do or not.
Their.. there.. cyce.. cycle.. great point very well made.
When I first heard about this strike I very sensibly went to fill up my car and 14 jerry cans. When I arrived at the Petrol Station there were mass amounts of people *panic* buying! No wonder this country is in such a mess.
Petrol - Still cheaper than water