Motorists joining the queue at Newport’s ASDA filling station have reportedly been asked how much fuel they have before being able to refill amid shortages of diesel at forecourts Island-wide.
The claims come as Islanders struggle to fill their tanks with petrol and diesel amongst a nationwide ‘crisis’ which began on Friday with the announcement of a supposed fuel shortage.
Despite multiple claims from industry leaders and large fuel brands that fuel is readily available, motorists remain steadfast in so-called ‘panic buying’, causing further issues at the Island’s pumps as forecourts struggle to keep up with demand.
Several supermarket filling stations are currently without some fuels, including Tesco which currently has limited diesel and is only offering E10 unleaded. Morrisons and Sainsbury’s in Newport are also reportedly struggling with diesel levels – in part due to the resuming of commercial driving as the new week begins.
Some stations have also imposed limits on the amount of fuel that can be dispensed. ASDA are reportedly now restricting each fuel sale to £30 – causing headaches for those with fuel hungry vehicles – and also asking drivers how much fuel is in their tanks before filling up. It’s not clear if the supermarket is refusing the sale of fuel to vehicles with fuller tanks.
Nationally, the Government is under pressure to enforce the prioritisation of emergency services and key workers at the country’s fuel pumps as the ‘crisis’ hits its 4th day. It’s understood that on the Island all the emergency services have an adequate supply of fuel.
Elsewhere, carers and those who use their vehicles for work are struggling to adapt to the long queues and limited availability. One commercial driver has told Island Echo that the fuel limits imposed at some stations are making it impossible to fill the tank of his HGV with some stations going as far as to turn off the lorry pumps.
Island motorists are also being warned to beware of petrol stations potentially hiking prices by the RAC. The RAC’s fuel spokesperson has revealed that there has been an increase in callouts from drivers running out of fuel. The price of unleaded has risen by over 1p per litre over the weekend.
The UK average for petrol as of yesterday (26th September) was 136.59p per litre for petrol and 138.48p per litre for diesel.
In a joint statement from retailers including BP, Shell and Esso, the fuel industry said:
“There is plenty of fuel at UK refineries and terminals, and as an industry we are working closely with the government to help ensure fuel is available to be delivered to stations across the country.
“As many cars are now holding more fuel than usual, we expect that demand will return to its normal levels in the coming days, easing pressures on fuel station forecourts.
“We would encourage everyone to buy fuel as they usually would.
“We remain enormously grateful to all forecourt staff and HGV drivers for working tirelessly to maintain supplies during this time.”
I fill right up every two weeks .what’s the point in limiting it .it just means having to go back more often .
Island garages need to limit the amount that visitors are allowed to take from our pumps. Why should they be allowed to take an unlimited amount just to drive about with, when we are struggling to get fuel to get to our places of work and emergency services are at risk of not being able to respond to calls,
Had no trouble at Asda today wasn’t asked how much fuel I had ,but it’s capped for £30 ,I think this reasonable ,it just to make sure it’s rationed out equally. Some of these big vehicles can take £100 to fill up , leaving lest for others
Obviously the down thumbs are from the ones not being affected
No ! The thumbs down are for you talking complete and utter. B. S. !
So if we do this does this mean anyone going to the main land on an hw number plate can’t fill up on the mainland.
How would this nation cope if there was to be another World War?, we could never cope like we did in the last War….me me me attitude, I’m ashamed to be British..
Buy what you need! Stop Panicking and behave responsibly…
Guessing the first thing they would do is ban anyone from Europe from helping them as they were confidant on going it alone….
Making a £30 maximum limit is completely the wrong strategy to stop panic buyers topping up. Make it a minimum spend of £60 and that way only people who are low on fuel would be allowed to buy petrol or diesel.
Great idea but my car doesn’t take that amount. Maybe there should be a minimum spend of £30 for cars and obviously less for motorbikes.
One thing is for sure we now know that the Islanders are only interested in their selves
Instead of a maximum cap of £30, why not impose a MINIMUM cap/charge of £30?
that would stop the greedy ones who already have petrol.
And that would effectively bar anyone on 2 wheels from purchasing fuel. Well thought out.
The garages should impose a £30 minmum spend, if you need that or more ok but if you fill up with 5 or 10 litres it should cost £30 and if people are seen filling up plastic containers the pump should be stopped.
It is the selfish and the stupid who are causing this problem.
So you want people like me who ride motorcycles to be charged £30 to fill their bike. I ride a 125 scooter on the mainland to get to work. It has a 7 litre tank. You want me to pay £30 for 7 litres. Please think before posting crap.
As owner of Fairlee Service Station I need to put something in writing.
1. There is no shortage of tanker drivers here, we get our regular delivery twice a week.
2. We can’t order extra as the ferries only take so many hazardous fuel trucks
3. We limit purchases to £20 for cars and £100 for lorries
4. By limiting the fuel we have remained open every day
5. We are low on fuel because many people are now buying more that they need. One person bought £1.50 just to top up his tank
5. A very few ignore our £20 limit notice and say tough luck and then give my staff abuse.
6. The media has fanned the flames of this shortage
Well said it takes someone running a garage to spell it out …..
Alas you will always get those with cloth ears !!!!!
I fill up once a month, and occasionally I have to fill up @ 3 weeks depending on work , …
The media definitely made things worse and of course people panic because one jumps they all follow in fear !!!!!
Making it more difficult for those that need fuel ⛽ .
Very well said, although I have a quarter of a tank but I need a full tank of fuel which would be more than £20. My daughter is about to have her baby and we need to go collect the great grandparents from Devon and bring them back up to London, as they cannot travel by bus/coach/train. If it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t worry and happily stick with just my 1/4 tank.
Good luck with baby etc .
It did appear to be easing while I was on way to work today.
Went to get diesel today and queued like the rest, attendant was ushering people to the only 2 pumps in use and asking people after you’ve finished move to a bay and pay at the kiosk to keep the flow moving, surprising how many people don’t know how to use a fuel pump or follow simple instruction about what to do once you’ve finished. Talking to the cashier they said the amount of people coming in and putting £5 or £10 in just to ‘top up’ was shameful when there’s people running on fumes. Bog rolls all over again, and probably the same selfish people.