Petrol station runs out, as cabbies call for support

A PETROL station in Devon is completely out of fuel, despite motorists being asked for days to stop panic buying fuel and diesel.

The Tesco petrol station in Heavitree, Exeter, has put signs up stating that it has run out of unleaded and diesel.

It was yesterday waiting for a delivery. Elsewhere in many parts of the Westcountry, however, the crisis appeared to be easing.

Motorists have been urged for days to stop panic buying fuel and go about their business in the normal way and it seems the message is getting through in much of the South West.

A spokesman for Devon County Council said: “We’re not experiencing the same significant challenges that other parts of the country are seeing.”

He went on, however, to acknowledge the situation was being kept under review in case things change.

“The multi-agency partners of the Local Resilience Forum are watching the situation carefully and would encourage the public to continue to fuel their cars and vehicles as normal,” the spokesman said.

Some essential workers in the South West have warned they feared they would be unable to get to work unless they were given special rights at the pumps.

And taxi drivers in Plymouth yesterday warned their businesses were being put in jeopardy as a result of the crisis.

Martin Leaves, secretary of Plymouth Licensed Taxi Association called on city leaders and members of Parliament to encourage the government to trigger the Energy Act 1976.

Chapter 76 would enable the Secretary of State for Transport to take control of the acquisition and the use of fuels.