This needs to stop! Drivers stuck in queues exasperated at panic buying
DRIVERS in Hilsea have expressed their exasperation as motorists rush to buy fuel amid a panic over supply shortages.
All day yesterday, hundreds of people qqueued to fill up at the Shell outlet in London Road, as garages across the area struggle to cope with soaring demand and dwindling fuel.
Now drivers stuck on the forecourt in Hilsea have told The News people need to stop panicking.
Stephen Bailey, a delivery driver from Northern Parade, Hilsea, said he had been struggling all day for fuel.
The 64-year-old said: ‘Everyone is just panicking. I’m a delivery driver and need the fuel. I’ve been to Southampton and Gosport today and there are queues everywhere.
‘It’s a bit like when people were panicking to buy toilet roll and pasta during the first lockdown. People need to stop.’
Brian Trilbya, another delivery driver from Copnor, was also frustrated by the queues.
He said: ‘At about 10pm last night I said, “oh my god there are going to be queues”. And then this morning, there they were.
‘The queues are everywhere. Farlington is out. It’s unbelievable.
‘I have been round and round here and up and down the Eastern Road, trying to find somewhere to refuel. The diesel is out at loads of places.’
He added: ‘I bet half the people don’t even need the fuel. They’re probably only using the cars for the school run but they’re going in and just getting full tanks because they’re panicking.’
Melanie Palmer, of Cosham, blamed the media for causing all the hysteria.
The 45-year-old said: ‘I think it’s just ridiculous. I am only coming in because I’m low on fuel. I normally fill up at the weekend anyway.
‘People are just panic buying. It’s the media that has done this.’
buying ‘needs to stop’ but government should have acted sooner.
He said: ‘The industry has been clear a hurried Brexit deal has played its part in this, but government inaction to address an ageing HGV driver workforce with low wages and difficult working conditions has created a perfect storm.
‘It’s no surprise now we are seeing this shortage and the scenes at local petrol stations.’
Mr Morgan wants a minister appointed by Boris Johnson to take control.
He added: ‘The prime minister must get a grip of this crisis and appoint a minister to work across government and come up with a clear plan with businesses and unions to improve wages and conditions in key sectors.
‘Our city and the wider country needs certainty, not more dither and delay.’