DON’T PANIC!
PLEA GOES OUT TO MOTORISTS AS QUEUES FOR FUEL GROW
LONG queues have been forming at fuel stations across Derbyshire as the shortage of HGV drivers hits supplies.
The Government was urging motorists and shoppers not to panic buy fuel and goods.
In Derby, many supermarkets saw traffic problems as people queued at the pumps to get their fuel.
LONG queues formed at petrol stations across Derbyshire yesterday as the shortage of lorry drivers hit supplies.
At the same time, the Government urged motorists and shoppers not to panic buy fuel and goods.
There were reports of traffic problems across the county as queues of traffic spilled out of fuel stations and on to nearby streets.
In Derby, supermarkets including Sainsbury’s and Morrisons in Kingsway and Asda in Sinfin saw traffic problems, as people queued at the pumps to get their fuel.
The BP petrol station in Mickleover put out cones to prevent anyone entering the forecourt and Morrisons in Swadlincote shut its petrol station because it ran out of fuel. Elsewhere, Esso in Markeaton was really busy.
Other places, such as Jet in Stores Road and the Texaco station in Duffield Road were busy, but not deemed as “mad” as some of the other places.
One motorist wrote on Twitter: “Tesco Chesterfield. 40-minute queues blocking the roads, local petrol station running out, lady filling up 12, yes 12, petrol cans and stashing in her boot. Panic buying again, when there’s no need. Down to my last 60 miles.”
One motorist who drove through Swadlincote said: “It’s really terrible. I have been working in the town today and the roads were completely blocked this morning and this afternoon. I went past Morrisons and Sainsbury’s and they both had hor
rendous tailbacks through Swad.
“It’s awful that people are doing this. There is no shortage of petrol, people are just panic buying. It’s like the Covid panic-buyers all over again.
“I will run out of petrol next week and will need to go to the pumps. I will probably look as bad as these other motorists, but I won’t be panic buying, I’m just going to need fuel as the car will be empty.”
Not all stations were busy, however. Councillor Ajit Atwal, who represents Abbey Ward on Derby City Council, wrote on Twitter: “No shortage of fuel at Atwal Car and Van Hire Dairyhouse Road Derby. Get yourself down for as much fuel as you need. Please, please, please don’t panic buy.”
A combination of factors including Brexit leading to the loss of European Union drivers, the pandemic preventing driving tests and systemic problems in the industry relating to pay and conditions have led to the shortage of HGV drivers.
Ministers faced fresh pressure to ease immigration rules as an emergency measure to attract HGV drivers from overseas amid warnings that 100,000 more were needed across the industry.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps suggested adding HGV drivers to the skilled worker list for immigration purposes would not solve the problem, although he insisted he nothing had been ruled out.
A Government spokeswoman said: “There is no shortage of fuel in
the UK, and people should continue to buy fuel as normal. We recognise the challenges facing industry and have already taken action to increase the supply of HGV drivers, including streamlining the process for new drivers and increasing the number of driving tests. We continue to closely monitor labour supply and work with sector leaders to understand how we can best ease particular pinch points.”
Experts have warned drivers to ensure they do not run low of petrol or diesel as some suppliers bring in rationing.
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), which represents two-thirds of Britain’s petrol stations, has warned drivers to keep tanks at least a quarter full.