Petrol likely to run out

RMI Petrol has reported its members across the east of the UK are seeing fuel shortages at the pumps.

RMI Petrol – RMI Independent Petrol Retailers Association – which represents two thirds of the 9000 petrol stations in the UK, says 500 independent petrol retailers are likely to run out of fuel by the weekend, with rural stations in particular difficulty.

The association has laid the blame with the recent weather conditions.

Petrol tankers have been unable to leave the main terminals from the Total and Jet refineries which is cutting the supply chain off.

Refinery terminals at Grangemouth, Falkirk and at Coryton have also reported problems today, with some fuel companies reporting that they are at least 2 or 3 days behind normal delivery schedules already.

Brian Madderson, chairman of RMI Petrol said: ‘We are close to a critical point in what is fast becoming a fuel crisis as well as a weather crisis. Acute problems of supply, particularly of diesel, are being reported by our rural members in the north-east of England and eastern Scotland. A number of filling stations are already reported to be out of fuel.

‘The crisis is now spreading south as the weekend unfolds. Every hour that passes, the fuel crisis is intensifying.

‘By the end of the weekend, tens of thousands of motorists could have no fuel to go about their daily lives, whether it be getting to work, taking the kids to school, or doing the weekly shop.’