This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-17572841
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Petrol queues ease as threat of Easter strike is dropped | Petrol queues ease as threat of Easter strike is dropped |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Queues for petrol are easing after unions announced there would be no strike over Easter, motoring organisations say. | Queues for petrol are easing after unions announced there would be no strike over Easter, motoring organisations say. |
| The government earlier changed its advice to drivers saying it was no longer urgent to top up petrol tanks, following two days of panic buying. | The government earlier changed its advice to drivers saying it was no longer urgent to top up petrol tanks, following two days of panic buying. |
| There have been some reports to the BBC of continuing shortages at a few petrol stations. | There have been some reports to the BBC of continuing shortages at a few petrol stations. |
| But retail figures suggest demand for petrol waned from Thursday to Friday. | But retail figures suggest demand for petrol waned from Thursday to Friday. |
| The AA described "a rapidly improving picture at fuel stations". | The AA described "a rapidly improving picture at fuel stations". |
| A spokesman said: "The advice for drivers is to resume your normal buying patterns and to adhere to regulations on how much fuel you can carry and store." | A spokesman said: "The advice for drivers is to resume your normal buying patterns and to adhere to regulations on how much fuel you can carry and store." |
| The RAC motoring group also said it was "business as usual". | The RAC motoring group also said it was "business as usual". |
| "People should buy fuel as and when they need it - there is no shortage and panic buying should be avoided," a spokeswoman said. | "People should buy fuel as and when they need it - there is no shortage and panic buying should be avoided," a spokeswoman said. |
| Awaiting deliveries | Awaiting deliveries |
| Demand for fuel appeared to be dropping - with unleaded petrol sales down from 172% above normal on Thursday to 57% above normal on Friday, according to independent retailers' group RMI Petrol. | Demand for fuel appeared to be dropping - with unleaded petrol sales down from 172% above normal on Thursday to 57% above normal on Friday, according to independent retailers' group RMI Petrol. |
| Diesel sales were down from 77% above normal on Thursday to 29% above normal on Friday. | Diesel sales were down from 77% above normal on Thursday to 29% above normal on Friday. |
| However, the BBC has had reports on Saturday of some queues and shortages at petrol stations in Leeds, Tonbridge in Kent, Egham in Surrey, Bromley in south-east London, Finchampstead in Berkshire and St Albans in Hertfordshire. | However, the BBC has had reports on Saturday of some queues and shortages at petrol stations in Leeds, Tonbridge in Kent, Egham in Surrey, Bromley in south-east London, Finchampstead in Berkshire and St Albans in Hertfordshire. |
| There are also reports of stations increasing fuel prices and limiting sales. In Guildford, Surrey, one petrol station is refusing to sell motorists any more than £25 worth of fuel. | There are also reports of stations increasing fuel prices and limiting sales. In Guildford, Surrey, one petrol station is refusing to sell motorists any more than £25 worth of fuel. |
| Motoring experts now warn of a two to three-day backlog as haulers attempt to refuel petrol stations. | Motoring experts now warn of a two to three-day backlog as haulers attempt to refuel petrol stations. |
| A BP spokesperson said there had been a reduction in demand on the forecourts but it still had a few sites which had completely run out of stock and were awaiting deliveries. | A BP spokesperson said there had been a reduction in demand on the forecourts but it still had a few sites which had completely run out of stock and were awaiting deliveries. |
| Meanwhile, several Labour MP's have called for Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude to resign over comments he made advising storing petrol in jerrycans. | Meanwhile, several Labour MP's have called for Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude to resign over comments he made advising storing petrol in jerrycans. |
| A York woman, who suffered severe burns while decanting petrol at home, remains critically ill in hospital. | A York woman, who suffered severe burns while decanting petrol at home, remains critically ill in hospital. |
| Unite assistant general secretary Diana Holland said although no industrial action by fuel tanker drivers was planned over Easter - as it focused on next week's talks with distribution companies through the reconciliation service Acas - this did not mean the union had backed down. | Unite assistant general secretary Diana Holland said although no industrial action by fuel tanker drivers was planned over Easter - as it focused on next week's talks with distribution companies through the reconciliation service Acas - this did not mean the union had backed down. |
| Acas said unions and fuel bosses would not meet until after Monday but said it was "pleased" that Unite was ready to start substantive talks as soon as possible. | |
| An Acas spokesperson said: "We are meeting all of the employers involved in the dispute on Monday to complete our exploratory talks with them. | |
| "We hope that more formal talks involving both Unite and the employers will start as soon as possible after Monday." |