Mile-long queues at petrol pumps as panic buying continues

Motorists are reporting massive queues at petrol stations across the country and staff overwhelmed by demand.

The Petrol Retailers Association, which represents around 5,500 garages across the UK, reported that sales of petrol were up 85 per cent to a high of 140.70p per litre and diesel 43 per cent to 146.98 per litre on Wednesday.

On Thursday morning, motorists spotted prices as high as 160p per litre of unleaded (at a garage on the A31); a mile-long queue forming on the A41 near Watford and another near Reading; angry exchanges between customers at several petrol stations in London; and staff cordoning off stations like at an Esso in Leatherhead, Surrey.

Halfords reported a 467 per cent rise in demand for jerry cans.

Jon Hall, chief fire officer for both Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Gloucestershire Trading Standards, spoke out in the wake of a possible fuel shortage.

He was speaking after government minister Francis Maude advised people to keep a jerry can of fuel in their garage.

“I am really concerned about the prospect of householders stockpiling petrol at home in anticipation of a possible tanker drivers’ strike,” Mr Hall said.

“This is potentially extremely dangerous as petrol is not only highly inflammable, but is also explosive under some circumstances.

“In addition, there are strict legal requirements for the storage of this type of fuel and a householder may commit an offence by not storing petrol safely.”

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Transport minister Mike Penning admitted that Mr Maude had made a “mistake” after he advised people to store petrol.

“You can’t store that amount of petrol. It was a mistake by the Cabinet minister. He didn’t understand the size of a jerry can. He has apologised since,” he said.

However, he insisted that Mr Maude was right to advise drivers to keep their petrol tanks full as the seven days’ notice the union is required to give before going on strike would leave little time to prepare.

The rush to the pumps came as moves to start peace talks aimed at averting a strike by fuel tanker drivers will be stepped up today amid fears that panic buying of petrol will escalate.

Conciliation service Acas is trying to convene talks between the Unite union and seven companies involved in the dispute over terms and conditions and safety.

Unite has not set any strike dates and has been stressing its willingness to negotiate.

Prime Minister David Cameron has chaired a meeting of ministers to discuss contingency plans if a strike goes ahead.

Mr Maude said a “couple of hundred” military tanker crews would be trained to cover for striking tanker drivers in a bid to maintain supplies to garages as well as hospitals and schools.

Petrol price rise will 'slow economy'