Fuel crisis hits Herefordshire (From Hereford Times)

Fuel crisis hits Herefordshire

9:58am Thursday 29th March 2012 in County By David Higgs

FEARS over the availability of fuel sparked by comments from Cabinet Minister Francis Maude has caused panic buying in Herefordshire.

In Leominster larges queues have been reported at the Morrisons filling station while Bengry Motors' Texaco forecourt has limited fuel sales to £20.

"We are waiting for a delivery today but we don't know if we're going to get one until tomorrow," said Bengry's Director Cynthia Partridge.

"Everything has been made worse by what the government have been saying.

"Most of the tanks are now empty. Morrisons seem to be having deliveries but there have been queues."

Forecourts in Hereford have also witnessed large queues this morning.

Chris Purruzza, from L T Baynham Ltd, a self drive hire firm on Whitecross Road, said that all of the pumps are currently open, but does not know for how long.

"There is definite panic buying, which started yesterday," he said.

"We have got people queuing at the moment and cannot predict if we will run out of fuel or not."

Queues have also been reported at the Texaco garage in Ledbury Road and at the BP forecourt on Edgar Street.

"It is chock-a-block here at the moment," said Adam Smith, who works at the BP garage.

"We got filled up yesterday, so should be ok for the time being."

Mr Maude advised the public on Wednesday to store petrol in jerrycans amid fears of a planned strike by petrol tanker drivers.