LONG queues for petrol continued across the Black Country today as people rush to fill up their tank despite calls not to panic buy.
Petrol stations across Dudley, Stourbridge, Halesowen, have seen long queues today (Saturday September 25) with some stations closing altogether or running out of some fuels.
In Halesowen traffic was queuing back onto Bromsgrove Road from the Esso petrol station at around 2pm (pictured above) and at Tesco Extra in Foxoak Street, Cradley Heath, there were huge queues snaking round the back of the station being managed by a petrol station staff member. (pictured at top of article."
On the Norton Road in Stourbridge (pictured above) drivers were queueing back onto the road to use the BP garage.
In Oldswinford, Stourbridge, both the Shell and BP garages had run out of petrol and were closed.
The Shell Petrol Station at Oldswinford was closed. Pic: Bob Henry Photography
It was reported on twitter that in Oldbury McDonald's Drive thru was empty as cars couldn't get past cars queuing for petrol at Sainsburys.
All this is despite the president of the AA saying panic-buying rather than supply chain issues is driving the shortage of fuel at some petrol stations.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps urged people to “carry on as normal” as BP and Tesco announced some stations would close and petrol would be spread across garages due to a shortage of lorry drivers.
Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “There is no shortage of fuel and thousands of forecourts are operating normally with just a few suffering temporary supply chain problems.
“Fridays and the weekend always tend to be busier on forecourts as drivers either combine filling up with shopping runs, prepare for weekend trips or refuel for the start of the new working week.
“Drivers should not fill up outside their normal routines because, even if the occasional petrol station is temporarily closed, others just down the road will be open.
“It is now clear that there have been occasional delays over recent weeks that have been managed with hardly anyone noticing.
"This was a manageable problem.”
The BP Station at Oldswinford was also closed. Pic: Bob Henry Photography
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel