Panic petrol buying hits Sutton (From Sutton Guardian)

Panic petrol buying hits Sutton

2:06pm Thursday 29th March 2012 in News By Matt Watts

Panic petrol buying has hit Sutton, with some motorists waiting up to 45 minutes to fill up.

Queues of up to 60 vehicles have been seen waiting to fill up at the Tesco Extra off the A217 in Cheam.

It follows advice from the Government to motorists to refill half-empty tanks, after the threat of strike action from tanker drivers who supply petrol tanks across the UK.

Longer than average queues have been seen at many petrol stations in the borough.

Traffic on Brighton Road was being held up as vehicles queued up to reach the pumps at the BP garage close to Sutton station.

While motorists leaving the Tesco Extra petrol station off the A217 said they had waited 45 minutes to fill up.

Supermarket staff had to circulate to manage the queue.

Self-employed courier Alec Metcalf, 57, said: "It is absolute madness. I have to fill up for my job so that is why I am here. The way people have reacted to the threat of this strike is over the top."

"What the Government has been saying hasn't helped."

The Government has advised motorists to refill tanks when half-empty ahead of a possible fuel drivers' strike.

Energy Minister Ed Davey clarified advice after government calls to "top up" tanks were blamed for some panic-buying at petrol stations.

Yesterday cabinet minister Francis Maude suggested people could store fuel in a jerrycan in their garage.

His words were later declared a mistake and withdrawn, after being condemned as potentially dangerous.

No strike dates have been set, and Unite would give seven days' notice before any action.

Have you filled up today? Let us know your experience mwatts@london.newsquest.co.uk