Forum Topic

Petrol stations

Anyone know if we're all OK for petrol in Putney? Need to go today but bit concerned with news articles saying queues/no fuel.

Gabrielle OMahony ● 1360d22 Comments

For a short period of time, it exacerbates the shortage which already exists. Though I really doubt that many of the people queueing have a 3/4 full tank already and if they do, they are hardly going to make much of a dent on supplies.My tank is nearly full, I always top up if passing a very cheap petrol station and happened to do so the other day (before the driver shortage began to bite on petrol supplies).If it were not, I have a long journey planned in a couple of weeks and it would be prudent for me to get filled up in the meantime - there being no sign that HMG is going to get its act together on this issue.I also consider it prudent to consider what pratfall Johnson and his coterie of cronies will make next and to take precautions against it.

Michael Winstanley ● 1359d

If many many 1000's of drivers top up when they already have 1/2 or 3/4 of a tank of petrol that is unnecessary and causes an unnecessary shortage. Doesn't seem like prudent behaviour to me, just stupid.

Sue Hammond ● 1359d

Not exactly !panic" is it to fill your tank up when you find out that some stations are running out of petrol? Seems prudent behaviour to me. "Panic buying" is when people buy excess quantities of something on the basis of a false rumour.Anyways, once everyone that wants to has filled up, the queues will be no more.

Michael Winstanley ● 1359d

You are wrong, people are definitely panic buying. Just look at the photos of the ridiculous queues at petrol stations or listen to the callers on LBC. Unnecessary topping-up by many thousands of drivers is depleting the amount of petrol at the pumps much quicker than usual. The petrol tankers are now taking longer than usual to deliver more petrol to the pumps, creating an unnecessary shortage.  When demand outstrips supply it necessarily creates a shortage, which is what is happening now.  Simple.

Sue Hammond ● 1359d

I hope Gabrielle gets what she needs.Panic buying for petrol is a bit of a nonsense since all any of us can do is fill up our tank. We cannot buy 6 months' supply as we can with loo rolls. So if stations are running out of fuel, there really is a shortage.This is of course a shortage of tanker delivery drivers, not of petrol, but the effect is the same. Brexit is not wholly to blame, but plays its part.

Michael Winstanley ● 1359d

I'm not worried at all Andy, I dont even have a car!Doesnt mean I can't laugh at the latest government cock up though!

Matt Palmer ● 1360d

Why are you all worried about petrol? Thoughf you were eco zealots wanting to stol cars running. Matt you should be celebrating

Andy Pike ● 1360d

LRR Sainsburys still open but very busy when I walked past a few minutes ago.

Ed Robinson ● 1360d

Hello Matt,I agree, it just takes the government to say this will not happen....  then it does!

Ivonne Holliday ● 1360d

The Shell station in Roehampton is closed so that doesnt quite fit with what you've written.That said I fully agree, had the government not put out a message last night saying 'there is no fuel shortage' we wouldnt be in this situation today. Absolutely everyone knows anything they say is like the kiss of death lol.

Matt Palmer ● 1360d

BP was the first to talk about a possible shortage due to limited deliveries and that sowed the seed and it didn't take long for the media to blow it up. From Sky News:"Which fuel suppliers are affected?A number of petrol stations have noted shortages and closures on Friday as Britons rushed to fill up their cars.But which suppliers are impacted?20 out of around 1,200 BP petrol stations are closed in the UKBetween 50 and 100 of BPs sites are lacking at least one grade of fuelA "small number" of Esso's 200 Tesco Alliance sites are affectedShell reported an increase in demand but is "adapting delivery schedules"So it's mainly just BP but other fuel retailers have jumped on board and increased their prices and are profiteering from the alleged 'shortage'.

Sue Hammond ● 1360d

There may not be shortages of vehicle fuels at the central distribution depots but there are shortages at the retail outlets because some haven't received deliveries from the depots. Hence, even if people fill up as they do normally, there's going to be an issue. If people have to make journeys I suppose they will top up early to avoid retail outlets runniPersonally, I'm just hoping there won't be any signal failures on SWT tomorrow :-) 

Michael Ixer ● 1360d

Premature top-ups are what's causing the fuel shortage. Lots of drivers are panicking and rushing to the pumps when they don't necessarily need to and that's creating a shortage that did not need to happen.  However I also blame the media for ott reporting on the matter.

Sue Hammond ● 1360d

Jolly Good Gabrielle, hope you see your mum. Lovely weather today.

Barbara Stevens ● 1360d

Tbh I don't think many people are panic buying apart from bringing forward their 'top up'. I did mine at lunch as I was worried there wouldn't be anything this evening.Same, I'd imagine, as people who need the cars over the w/e.There is no one with jerry cans hoarding it (i.e. similar to toilet roll incident)

Gabrielle OMahony ● 1360d

Not surprised. Too many stupid people panic buying. There wasn't a shortage but they have probably created one now. 🙄

Sue Hammond ● 1360d

All pumps at Shell in Roehampton now empty..

Matt Palmer ● 1360d

I'm just saying ah crap at the situation!! We need fuel to go see my mum (luckily Shell roehampton still had V power petrol). Queues though

Gabrielle OMahony ● 1360d

Gabrielle, sorry are you saying crap to me. I didn't read it my other half did on next door or somewhere.

Barbara Stevens ● 1360d

I'll try Shell in Roehampton. Don't know if the new one on West Hill is open.

Gabrielle OMahony ● 1360d

Crap OK

Gabrielle OMahony ● 1360d

One in Lower Richmond Rd, only had 2 pumps open it said.

Barbara Stevens ● 1360d