Update:Supermarket petrol station re-opens
Published 29 Mar 2012 09:30
3 Comments
Update: 7.45pm - Asda in Lower Earley is selling fuel again but closing at 9.30pm. It will be back open for business as usual tomorrow morning. Keep sending your updates
A PETROL station in Lower Earley was left without fuel today because of panic-buying motorists.
Large queues of commuters took the last litres of unleaded, super unleaded and diesel from Asda's filling station during this morning's rush hour, forcing bosses to put up the 'closed' signs.
A member of staff at the supermarket in Chalfont Way said it is expecting a delivery of fuel within the next few hours.
A nationwide panic was sparked by Cabinet Minister, Francis Maude, yesterday, who announced that motorists should stockpile fuel to prepare for a possible strike by petrol tanker drivers.
Meanwhile the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, with its Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire neighbours is urging the public to ignore Mr Maude's advice about storing petrol in a jerry can at home.
Olaf Baars, Berkshire's Deputy Chief Fire Officer, said: "Petrol is an extremely dangerous, highly flammable, explosive and toxic substance.
"There are laws governing its storage, which require that only very small quantities of petrol are kept in appropriate containers and in a well ventilated, secure building away from your house.
"Our concern is that people may underestimate the dangers and store increased quantities of petrol unsafely, which could lead to devastating fires and even loss of life."
For more information about storing petrol, visit the Health and Safety Executive website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/petroleum-faqs.htm
12.30-1pm; There are long queues of motorists at the Tesco petrol station in Portman Road. At least four out of a dozen pumps are closed completely, with the remaining only offering a small amount of unleaded fuel.
Update: 1.20pm: Fuel delivery now expected this evening
Update: 5.24pm: Still no fuel at Asda in Lower Earley and long queues at Tesco in Portman Road and Shell garage in Oxford Road.
Do you know any other petrol stations without fuel? Email lroutledge@berksmedia.co.uk
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 29 Mar 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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G O D
Unregistered User
Mar 29, 14:11
Report commentConsidering the average IQ of an Earley local can anyone really say they are going anywhere? Ever?
Recommend?
Yes 6
No 10
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Stephen Green
Unregistered User
Mar 29, 17:28
Report commentPeople must stop panic buying. There are no strikes and motorists are the ones creating a problem now. I hope the Government sorts something out to stop this ridiculous chaos.
Recommend? Yes 12
No 0
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HAMHAMsterMan
Unregistered User
Mar 30, 08:26
Report commentNeeded to go to Asda to do some shopping yesterday, couldn't get to it because of the idiots queuing for petrol.
Recommend? Yes 12
No 0
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