Basingstoke ObserverTHE combination of rising fuel prices and lack of fuel has left drivers across Basingstoke angry and frustrated.
Drivers in Basingstoke have been struggling to get fuel, after eco-activists blocked oil terminals at the weekend.
The protests are a number of reasons, including the war in Ukraine, why some local garages are seeing fuel shortages.
Some stations in Basingstoke were closed, others saw long queues to fill up at the pumps and some were open but with limited supplies.
Despite limited fuel availability, the majority of people have been managing to fill up their cars by trying a variety of petrol stations.
One motorist shared: “I went to Sainsbury’s but they were completely closed and I queued for 40 minutes to get petrol at Morrisons in Basingstoke which is really frustrating, especially as the person in front of me filled up with just £5 of fuel.”
Motorists are being told to only put in the amount of fuel they really need, as demand increases, with people planning to get away for the Easter holidays.
Basingstoke-based AA has reassured drivers that any fuel shortages are localised and that there are adequate supplies.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “There has been a fair degree of social media speculation about fuel supplies and we would like to reassure the public that fuel supplies are coming through and garages are re-stocking. It is true there have seen some localised shortages flagged up by AA Patrols but some of that is due to extra demand with the Easter driving season starting and more staycations.
Currently a combination of greater demand; some drivers changing their filling up habits; Russian invasion of Ukraine; and protests, has led to limited localised shortages. However, our 2700 Patrols have not reported difficulties in obtaining fuel across the country over the weekend despite some isolated shortages. If drivers follow their normal filling up patterns, they will find that there are adequate supplies of fuel coming through.”
In a statement, the Petrol Retailers Association, said: “We are aware of protests at several fuel supply sites; however, the majority are unaffected.
Fuel suppliers are working hard to ensure fuels are being delivered as quickly as possible and our members are working closely with them and following their advice.
The PRA represents independently owned forecourts which accounts for around 65% of forecourts and about 35% in terms of market share for fuel sales.”
Criticism has also been raised against both the fuel companies and lack of Government action by Fair Fuel UK.
Craig Mackinlay MP and Chair of the Fair Fuel APPG said: “Wholesale oil prices are way down from historic highs but the price at the pump has moved down by mere buttons. It is now even more obvious that motorists are being fleeced by the fuel retailers and it’s time for a ‘Pumpwatch’ price monitor to highlight the truth and bring such blatant profiteering to heel.”
Howard Cox, Founder of FairFuelUK said: “My message to Rishi Sunak: With the unbearable ‘just stop oil’ protests causing yet more fuel supply uncertainty in the lead up to Easter, its so way past time your Government started to help UK’s 37m drivers. You could ensure your 5p Fuel Duty cut reaches the pumps and drivers get honest and transparent fill up prices using PumpWatch. It’s time you stopped the incessant profiteering. And please also ask Priti Patel to guarantee the Police secure and protect fuel supplies to our vital forecourts.”
