Forum Topic

Petrol Panic!!

Posted by: Michael WinstanleyDate/Time: 25/09/21 09:25:00"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."No panic?? Is that right Mr Winstanley??? 😂Panic buying rather than shortages causing queues at UK petrol stations, AA head says | Supply chain crisis | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/25/panic-buying-rather-than-shortages-causing-queues-at-uk-petrol-stations-aa-head-saysSupply crisis: 'Catastrophic' panic buying of fuel 'going to get worse', says industry expert | UK News | Sky Newshttps://news.sky.com/story/supply-crisis-catastrophic-panic-buying-of-fuel-going-to-get-worse-says-industry-expert-12417689Panic buying at petrol stations: firm sets £30 limit | News | The Timeshttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bp-to-ration-fuel-amid-delivery-driver-shortage-0qvr7wxwnStop panic buying fuel, AA chief tells motorists amid chaotic scenes at petrol stationshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/09/25/stop-panic-buying-fuel-aa-chief-tells-motorists-amid-chaotic/Exasperated drivers take aim at ‘crazy’ panic buying as pumps run dry | The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/petrol-shortage-queues-diesel-hgv-b1927017.htmlAngry drivers honk horns as two mile petrol queue brings road to standstill – Metrohttps://metro.co.uk/2021/09/25/petrol-shortage-two-mile-queues-for-fuel-as-panic-buying-continues-15315603/Video shows huge queues at London petrol station as panic buying intensifies - MyLondonhttps://www.mylondon.news/news/north-london-news/video-shows-huge-queues-london-21673790

Sue Hammond ● 1358d46 Comments

UK licences issued before 1997 have the same entitlement. Mine allows me to drive a 7.5 tonne truck towing a 4.5 tonne trailer. I suspect this was down to a mistranslation of the German Lastkraftwagen (LKW) as HGV

Sean Hodges ● 1352d

Matt, reading that made my day. Just shows what a shambles this government is.Anyway, the Shell station on West Hill has run out of fuel. What is sad is that it looks like only one person is using one of the nice shiny new EV charging points at the back ...https://www.flickr.com/gp/m-j-i/9j0u1z

Michael Ixer ● 1353d

This is ridiculousThe government has asked thousands of Germans residing in the UK to drive lorries to assist with the HGV shortage, even if they have never driven one before.German driving licences issued before 1999 include entitlement to drive a small to medium-sized truck of up to 7.5 tonnes

Matt Palmer ● 1353d

Thanks, Philippa; ha, ha - someone else looking to blame "data protection" for their incompetence, isn't this an unsolicited mail shot?

Michael Ixer ● 1353d

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/hgv-lorry-driver-shortage-germans-b1930558.html

Philippa Bond ● 1353d

I agree that what most people would do, my point is that if you wanted to fill up every time you went out in you car you absolutely could.

Matt Palmer ● 1354d

That's not really true Matt IMO.Those that do not do any serious driving during the day would normally refill when their tank headed towards empty.For me that and I suspect many other casual drivers that would be one a month. Now if these drivers then decide that anything less than almost full needs to be refilled you are compressing that months demand into a few days.You just have to look at the petrol stations being redeveloped because the normal daily demand could not justify them staying open.Ignoring this temporary issue I suspect petrol car drivers will have to become accustomed to less filling stations as they convert to electric or are redeveloped. Which will itself lead to more electric cars.It won't be as bad for diesel drivers as the range is greater and plus a lot vans/trucks still need diesel but their day will come too!

Ed Robinson ● 1354d

PRA chairman Brian Madderson said this afternoon"The surge in demand appears to be continuing. There’s been no easing off of the pressure from drivers wanting to refuel whenever they can, wherever they can."How odd, I remember a world where refuelling whenever and whereever you wanted was just normal.

Matt Palmer ● 1354d

Are you talking to me Paul?I don't even have a car so it doesnt affect me personally, I walk or cycle pretty much everywhere. However some people do need cars to get about for valid reasons, should we not care about their needs?

Matt Palmer ● 1354d

Why do you complain about a lack of petrol? We have 2 tube stations & 2 train stations & you can walk or bike as an alternative.Spoiled little rich people who can't have it all their own way.You look ridiculous.

Paul Rolink ● 1354d

Why do you complain about a lack of petrol? We have 2 tube stations & 2 train stations & you can walk or bike as an alternative.Spoiled little rich people who can't have it all their own way.You look ridiculous.

Paul Rolink ● 1354d

Why do you complain about a lack of petrol? We have 2 tube stations & 2 train stations & you can walk or bike as an alternative.Spoiled little rich people who can't have it all their own way.You look ridiculous.

Paul Rolink ● 1354d

Something irrelevant.... Just getting rid of all those REs.

Thomas Jones ● 1355d

Sainsburies on the LRR still without petrol

Matt Palmer ● 1356d

That's a very good point Ben - I've also heard that that is an important contributory factor to the abnormal shortage of HGV drivers in the UK. A TV presenter on £300k can afford to pay accountants to deal with all of that complication, but it's not worth it for a truck driver.It is a pity that other forum contributers can't restrict themselves to sensible  points like this rather than engaging in pointless, childish and vindictive taunts. Says much about you and much about them.

Michael Winstanley ● 1356d

Haha Winstanley is swimming in his own BS!

Ash Jones ● 1356d

I have a few friends who have also been affected by the IR35 tax changes. One has also closed down their business. Many drivers with a Ltd company have thrown in the towel due to the extra taxes.  https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1497305/HGV-driver-Brexit-petrol-station-driver-shortage-news-latest-update-vn

Ben Toney ● 1356d

ah that's very sweet, thank you :)

Matt Palmer ● 1356d

"pah, try being me! lolol"But Matt in the flesh (metaphorically speaking😳) you are very nice ...

Sue Hammond ● 1357d

My personal attacks on others? I try not to go in for this Andy; an ad hominem argument is always a very poor one and I try to focus on what people have said on a subject - very willing to "attack" that if I disagree with it - rather than the people themselves. If I have ever breached this personal guideline, I do apologise; to err is human, as Pope said.

Michael Winstanley ● 1357d

pah, try being me! lolol

Matt Palmer ● 1357d

I didn’t say that you had gone in for personal attacks but some of the insults aimed at him were appalling.

Jane Carter ● 1357d

And his personal attacks on others? Not that I think my comment was an attack in any way shape or form. In fact it probably saved you from a ridiculing comment from him.

Andy Pike ● 1357d

Ah didn’t realise it was a joke. Actually I find Michael’s contributions to the forum interesting and very well informed. The personal attacks on him are totally unjustified.

Jane Carter ● 1357d

Thats Winstanley humour for you Jane. My sides are aching 😟😟

Andy Pike ● 1357d

If your friend had a full tank of petrol why did he drive round looking for more?

Jane Carter ● 1357d

Friend of mine just told me he has been driving round all day trying to find a petrol station with fuel left and is now down to the warning light on his fuel gauge. Started out with a full tank as well.

Michael Winstanley ● 1357d

It's a lovely day not to drive.

Philippa Bond ● 1357d

Just been out and about - the roads are eerily quiet for a  Monday morning. Looks like a number of people have decided to hoard the petrol left in their tanks and indulge in panic not driving.

Michael Winstanley ● 1357d

Sainsburies on the LRR still without petrol

Matt Palmer ● 1357d

LOL!! Could start an argument in an empty room.🙄

Sue Hammond ● 1357d

I swear that guy would disagree with himself if these forums didnt exist.

Andy Pike ● 1357d

Stocking up with toilet rolls in sensible quantities was a sensible thing to do. Toilet rolls for commercial applications (offices, shops, hotels) are a different specification from thos for the home market, they use different specifications off paper, come from different paper mills and have a different supply chain. The lockdowns were bound to create a temporary shortage as toilet roll use switched more from commercial locations to the home.However, few people are "hoarding" petrol. Filling up your car is not "hoarding". A few people have been spotted with jerry cans and this is bad behaviour. Otherwise most petrol buyers are being castigated for just being prudent.I have candles, matches and a couple of torches in the kitchen cupboard, which I am "hoarding" along with a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.

Michael Winstanley ● 1357d

@MW"What kind of country has this become where we can't take the precaution of filling up one car tank with petrol without being accused of being mentally deranged?"Aww don't be so hard on yourself.😇

Sue Hammond ● 1357d

there's plenty of petrol on the Isle of Wight :)

Adam Tripp ● 1357d

I didn't say that, Andy. One obviously has to assess each commodity's availability, the likelihood of its scarecity and the impact of it not being available. I think the Daily Mail and Express were still available at the time ...

Michael Ixer ● 1357d

I suspect the Govt don't realise that a lot of the population actually prepare and plan ahead. It also has a lot to do with trust.

Philippa Bond ● 1357d

So ridiculous hoarding of toilet rolls last year was normal behaviour too?? How very odd.

Andy Pike ● 1357d

Is it panic buying or risk management? It could be argued that it's a rational response to fill up while fuel is available to mitigate the risk that none will be available later and one won't be able to go to work tomorrow to earn money to live? 

Michael Ixer ● 1357d

What kind of country has this become where we can't take the precaution of filling up one car tank with petrol without being accused of being mentally deranged? What is actually happpening here is that supply chains can't cope with the ebb and flow of normal behaviour. I have a turkey in the freezer. Just one. There won't be enough to go round come Xmas, but try to buy your one in advance, no doubt someone will accuse you of panic buying.If there is no genuine shortage, I wonder why Minister for Transport Giant Shatts has now launched a series of emergency measures, including use of the army and visas for foreigners. "Don't panic!" - Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

Michael Winstanley ● 1358d

A lot of petrol stations have closed over the years and been developed as drivers switched to diesel or the local supermarkets made the stations uneconomical. Demand is also dropping due to electric vehicles and people walking/cycling more.There is probably not too much fat in the system which relies on a just in-time model.If queues continue more than a week then I guess that may be evidence of a shortage but at the moment it does look like panic buying.

Ed Robinson ● 1358d

Yes probably because you have glued your nose to the pump Matt.

Ash Jones ● 1358d

now why would i do that?

Matt Palmer ● 1358d

Yeah but people aren't panic buying. According to some idiots.  So that's alright then!

Sue Hammond ● 1358d

The one down by Hammersmith bridge was out of petrol too.

Matt Palmer ● 1358d

Don't know if any were open yesterday around this area, even Richmond, large Sainsbury's was shut. They had cones stopping drivers even going onto forecourt. Lower Richmond Rd, you could get food.

Barbara Stevens ● 1358d