Petrol sales soar in panic (From Stroud News and Journal)

Petrol sales soar in panic

PETROL sales in and around Stroud are soaring amid fears of a fuel protest later this week.

Some filling stations have reported up to a 100 per cent increase in sales since Thursday, when campaigners at the Fuel Lobby announced plans to blockade oil refineries and motorway go-slows for the next three days.

Sandra Bishop, manager of the Shell petrol station in Stroud Road, Nailsworth, said sales had more than doubled.

"It's been manic," she said. "It's been going on for four days now. At times, people have been queuing onto the road."

Sheila Hogg, manager of the Bridge Service Station in Gloucester Road, Stonehouse said sales were up by 50 per cent

"At this stage, running out of petrol is not a problem as long as the tankers can continue to get through," she said.

Snax 24 in London Road, Stroud and Tesco in Stratford Road, Stroud also reported increased sales but declined to comment on exact figures. Some drivers were filling jerry cans.

Greg Jones, from Stonehouse, was filling one at Tesco.

"I'm buying a normal amount, but I need extra for my machinery," he said.

"My wife is panicking though, she's called me three times this morning already to tell me to get some petrol.

"I hope the protesters do some good, it is out of control, it's profiteering."

Lorraine Burns, of Forest Green, was among motorists panic buying at Tesco.

"Yes I am buying more, and yes I am worried, this is going to cause more trouble than it's worth, I need petrol to get my children to school," she said.

The protest coincides with the five year anniversary of the blockades that brought the country to a standstill in 2000.

It has been sparked by anger over petrol prices, which have risen by as much as 20 per cent over the last few months, with many stations in the Stroud area charging around 97p for a litre of standard unleaded.

David Chapman, owner of David J Chapman, a Chalford-based haulage and courier company, is one of those supporting the protest, saying fuel prices are crippling small businesses like his own.

"There's no way I can absorb these costs," he said.

"Big companies may be able to get a discount, but I can't, and the cost has to be passed on to the customer.

"Hopefully the protest will help get the message across to Gordon Brown. If the price of petrol comes down, it will make my business more competitive."

District councillor Martin Whiteside, who represents the Thrupp ward for the Green party, said society is far too dependent on oil.

"I think this is just the beginning of price rises," he said.

"There's no point in reducing tax for a short term fix. We have got to make long term adjustments."