March 29, 2012 2.38 pm This story is over 143 months old

Lincoln drivers panic buying fuel

Fuel panic: Drivers in Lincoln have been panic buying petrol on Thursday, ahead of an unconfirmed fuel drivers’ strike.

— Last updated at 6.19pm with Lincolnshire Police statement*

Drivers in Lincoln have been panic buying petrol on Thursday, ahead of an unconfirmed fuel drivers’ strike that could bring the country to a stand still.

All filling stations across the city have seen significant demand throughout the day, with pumps running dry at Asda in North Hykeham and Esso on Newark Road.

Long queues have formed at the Morrisons and Sainsbury’s stations on Tritton Road, as well as at the Shell station on Burton Road (out of diesel) and Co-op station on Carholme Road.

Similar panic buying has been reported at Tesco on Wragby Road and Texaco on Outer Circle Road, as well as at Waitrose on Searby Road.

Reserves at the BP Spar in Birchwood are also running low.

The government has advised motorists to refill tanks when half-empty, although no date has been set for the fuel drivers’ strike over working conditions and pay.

The drivers’ union would also need to give seven days’ notice before any action.

Sales of petrol and diesel have risen significantly after a government minister advised drivers to consider filling up part-empty tanks and keeping a jerrycan of fuel.

The government however admitted a mistake over the advice to store jerrycans of fuel, as it was seen as potentially dangerous.

The price of petrol is also slightly up by a few pence at some stations across Lincoln.

*Lincolnshire Police Spokesman Dick Holmes said: “It seems that drivers are acting calmly and within the law.

“Research of our police computer incident logs reveals that prior to 4:00pm today we had been made aware of six service stations, situated in widely different areas of the county, where problems had been highlighted by members of the public.

“In all cases the problems related to queues of vehicles, with drivers waiting to buy fuel, backing up out onto the public highway and causing local congestion.

“The review of our incident logs has not revealed any examples of road rage or other public disorder nor had there been any resulting collisions or damage.

“Police advice is that drivers listen to the information reported frequently via national and local media. There is no current shortage of fuel other than that caused at some fuel outlets by trends of panic purchasing.

“The possible industrial action which may be taken by fuel supplier tanker drivers has not yet been confirmed. Therefore there is no need to stock up on fuel.

“We ask that people use their common sense and do not join fuel station queues that are encroaching onto the highway as they may become a potential hazard.

“The last thing we want is for anyone to be injured unnecessarily. Unless you are extremely low on fuel please continue your journey and refuel at a different location or at a time when the queues have receded.”