Panic petrol buying continues in Warminster
By wp_alistair | Friday, March 30, 2012, 10:49
Notwithstanding that even if there was to be a strike by the Unions the earliest it could take place would be in 11 days time, drivers continued to queue and stock up on petrol this morning in Warminster.
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Esso Garage on East Street was out of stock this morning
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Queues at Morrisons Petrol Station in Warminster
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Queues at Morrisons Petrol Station in Warminster
With the Esso garage on East Street having had its' stock exhausted yesterday afternoon, Morrisons petrol station is now the focal point for all drivers in Warminster town centre needing petrol. The Manager of the Esso garage this morning told me that she had "no idea" when she would receive any more deliveries, and simply directed me towards the Esso press centre.
Cars at Morrisons this morning were 4-5 deep, spilling out onto the road and causing disruption around the mini-roundabout. As I stood there an unmarked police Mondo had a reasonably tricky time navigating through the congestion.
According to the independent retailers' group RMI Petrol, demand rose 172% yesterday (Thursday) amid fears of a full tanker drivers' strike. Around 90% of UK forecourts are supplied by the 2,000 members of Unite, the group at the centre of the dispute. Conciliation service ACAS meets with employers and unions on Monday to continue talks.
With confusing messages from central government, and Ministers urging motorists to keep their cars "topped up", long queues and much frustration is being felt across the UK.
We spoke with one Area Manager for a company which manages forecourts across the South, who wished to remain anonymous.
"Certain sites are designated government sites so have to maintain stocks until such time as they have to close to the public and go under government control", he told us. "However over the last 24 hours we have seen across many sites increased robberies due to the increased amounts of cash being hold on-site, threatening behaviour from customers determined to fill unapproved containers, and tanker drivers getting abuse on forecourts even though they might not be involved."
He went onto explain that sites in certain towns are being monitored by the police where local Facebook groups have been set up to carry out protests.
Comments
Trouble is, the politicians have turned us all into cynics. lol
By derryhawk at 15:50 on 30/03/12
ReportWell yes, one does have to wonder if it is a cynical plot to avoid another negative quarter....
By wp_alistair at 15:26 on 30/03/12
ReportThe Government and the Petrol companies must be delighted with the sudden flow of cash...Just think of all that tax the chancellor is collecting.
By derryhawk at 13:46 on 30/03/12
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