Petrol station bans all protests as prices rise
Rural drivers say they are reaching their limit
AGARAGE in Rossendale has warned against protests on its forecourts as rural motorists say they are reaching their limit over soaring petrol prices.
A social media group for Valley motorists to monitor fuel prices was set up just over a week ago and already has more than 1,500 members.
This week, fuel prices jumped by more than 1p per litre in just a day to reach new record highs.
Latest figures show the cheapest petrol price in Lancashire is now in excess of £1.80 a litre (as of June 22) with diesel no cheaper than £1.89.
And families can expect filling up their car to set them back by £100 the next time they brave the forecourts.
Gem Bacup petrol station, on Burnley Road in Bacup, sells unleaded and diesel products, including Shell V-Power Unleaded and Shell V-Power Diesel.
It has placed a sign at the garage informing of a High Court injunction banning protests in connection with environmental protest campaigns, and disruption of the sale or supply of fuel to any Shell-branded petrol stations.
The order, made on May 5, includes bans on people from blocking or impeding access to any Shell Petrol Station, damaging equipment or infrastructure, interrupting fuel supplies ●●A notice warning against protests by operating switches or devices in the station and ‘affixing or locking’ things or people to any person or object in any Shell Petrol Station.
It also bans ‘spraying, painting, pouring, depositing or writing any substance’ on a Shell Petrol Station, and encouraging anyone else from doing any of the banned activities.
Warning anyone who breaks these rules could land in jail, with a fine or have their assets seized, the sign stipulates the order could apply to ‘Persons Unknown acting in connection with, and associated to, environmental campaigns and protests with the intention of disrupting the sale or supply of fuel to or from Shell Petrol Stations.’
Liz Haughan, a member of ‘Rossendale Valley Fuel Prices’ Facebook group, commented online: “When I went to the Burnley Road petrol station the other day, they had a high court injunction notice taped to the pump saying it would be against the law to demonstrate at the garage to stop them trading.”
Bacup dad Nathan McLean, who set up the online group, has written to Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry to highlight the issue.
He told the Free Press: “The main reason for setting up this group was to try and save people money there’s such a variation in prices through the valley that people need to be aware that there are savings to be had...why fill up in
Bacup in your way to do the shopping in Rawtenstall when you can fill up in Rawtenstall and save a few quid?
“Everybody is feeling the pinch at the minute with rising energy costs, rising food prices and pay freezes, so hopefully, this group is helping some to make savings.
“I live in Bacup, but I work in Blackburn.
“Unfortunately, I don’t have the ability to work from home.
“I am just using my route to work through the valley to gather information on fuel prices to help people save a bit of money.”
The dad told Jake Berry: “I think with the numbers of people joining [the group], this shows the strength of feeling amongst your constituents with regard to rising fuel prices, but I firmly believe that this feeling is being exacerbated by increasing and soaring gas
and electricity prices and rising food costs too - people are feeling the pinch!”
In a prompt reply to Mr McLean, the MP replied he had started his own local campaign a few years ago, calling on petrol retailers to end the rip off at the pumps, as he said petrol retailers were charging more for fuel in the Rossendale Valley than elsewhere.
He added: “I wholeheartedly support anything that increases awareness, competition and helps drive prices down. I firmly believe that the most effective way to keep fuel prices down is through an open and competitive market.
“That being said, the huge increase in fuel prices in recent months caused by the recovery from the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, means that despite where you live in the UK, and any local disparity, fuel prices have soared to eye watering levels.”
Highlighting how he had raised the issue in the House of Commons and welcoming the Chancellor’s announcement of fuel duty cut of 5p for a full year across all fuel duty rates, Mr Berry also welcomed the £5billion windfall tax imposed on oil and gas companies to help support people struggling with the cost of living.
He mentioned that the Government was providing support to families worth £37 million in 2022-23, including raising the National Insurance threshold, cutting Universal Credit taper rate and raising the National Living Wage, but said he was aware of ‘widespread concern about the pace of the increase in prices at the forecourt and that prices may not fall as much as they rise,’ saying: “I know people are frustrated that the £5 billion package does not always appear to have been passed through
to forecourt prices and that in some towns, prices remain higher than in similar, nearby towns.”
He added: “I know that here in Rossendale and Darwen, cars are essential for so many people. I hear your message very clearly and I agree that the Treasury should look at doing even more, specifically on the cost of fuel and the levels of tax/duty. Please be assured that this is something that I am raising at the highest possible levels within Government.”
A Government spokesperson said: “We understand that people are struggling with rising prices which is why we have made the biggest cut ever on all fuel duty rates, saving the average UK car driver around £100, van driver around £200 and haulier over £1,500.”
Shell UK was contacted by the Free Press for comment.