BRISTOL continued to feel the effects of panic buying of petrol – despite assurances that there would be no strike by tanker drivers before Easter.
Several filling stations had to shut after running out of supplies and police had to help direct traffic as queues of motorists obstructed some roads.
Across the UK petrol sales increased by almost 172 per cent yesterday while sales of diesel were up by almost 77 per cent.
In Bristol, some petrol stations that were empty earlier in the day later got deliveries, and some were expecting more fuel over the weekend.
The Automobile Association also claimed there was "some profiteering" at petrol stations.
One garage in Patchway was reported to have put diesel up by four pence to 150.9p per litre, from a price on Monday of 146.9p.
Among forecourts that had to close for some time yesterday were Tesco Express in Soundwell, where police had to direct traffic queues away, Asda in Longwell Green and Sainsbury's in Worle.
But in the afternoon they were open again after deliveries – although staff at the Tesco Express predicted their supply of diesel would only last a couple of hours.
In Redland, the Murco garage in Hampton Road ran out of diesel at one stage, while at one point yesterday Asda in Longwell green shut its filling station and the supermarket's Bedminster branch ran out of petrol, with only diesel on offer.
Among several others that had to close for part of the day were the Esso Express in Deanery Road, Kingswood; the Texaco in Bath Road, Keynsham; and the Esso Blackhorse in Westerleigh Road, Downend.
Long queues were reported at stations including Sainsbury's in Winterstoke Road and Tesco in Old Mills, Paulton.
Union Unite, which represents around 2,000 tanker drivers, said it retained the right to call industrial action if talks, expected to start next week, break down but wanted to concentrate on finding a solution.
Meanwhile Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude faced calls to resign over his suggestion that people should hoard petrol at home after a woman suffered serious burns.
Diane Hill, 46, from York, was recovering in hospital with 40 per cent burns after vapours ignited as she decanted petrol from one container to another, setting fire to her clothing. It was reported that her cooker was on at the time and had ignited the fuel.
AA president Edmund King warned: "Some people seem to have lost any sense of proportion. Petrol is a volatile liquid with highly inflammable vapours.
"Drivers should not be filling up any containers with petrol or we will see more tragic accidents. Now that there is no threat of a strike over the Easter weekend we hope that things will get back to normal.
"There is no need for drivers to continue topping up their tanks as this puts too much pressure on the supply chain. Essential drivers have struggled to get fuel as many drivers with second or third cars have followed Government advice and topped up their tanks unnecessarily.
"On Thursday the AA experienced a 50 per cent increase in call-outs to members running out of fuel.
"It can be very dangerous to run out of fuel on a motorway or indeed a rural road but many drivers were stranded due to shortages. We plead with drivers who really don't need to fill up to stay away from the pumps. The AA also stresses that drivers do not and should not hoard extra supplies of fuel in jerry cans or other containers. Hoarding fuel is dangerous and is not required.
"Let us hope for a weekend of calm after a quite barmy storm."
Mr Maude suggested on Wednesday that people should fill a jerry can in a bid to avoid disruption in the event of a strike.
Other members of the Government, including Transport Minister Mike Penning, then retreated from the much-criticised suggestion.
Labour MP Karl Turner tweeted: "Francis Maude should resign if his politicking and unnecessary panic has led to York woman decanting petrol in kitchen suffering 40 per cent burns."
However, the Cabinet Office later said he would not be quitting and Conservative Party chairman Baroness Warsi said: "I think what's deeply irresponsible and, frankly, sickening, is that the Labour Party want to make political points out of this personal tragedy for this lady."
What's this about Chuck Norris campaigning for Newt Gingrich? I didn't know there were any Republicans in Hollywood.
?Chuck Norris Does Not Need Your Answers, via the...
ShareThis
The majority of people in this situation do not need bariatric surgery,? says Dr. Michael Kaplan. ?It should not be considered the first line of treatment.
Will The Hunger Games be better than Twilight?
?Quanta M., via the inbox
Given that The Hunger Games does not feature a spineless doormat in love with a controlling,...
