Shell tanker drivers strike provokes people into panic buying
More than 600 tanker drivers from the haulage firms contracted to Shell mounted picket lines at 14 of the fuel supplier’s depots this weekend. As a direct result, it is reported today that 647 petrol stations out of 8,700 in England, Wales and Scotland have run out of standard fuel, with that number still increasing. Other filling stations have also reported selling out of either regular unleaded or diesel, forcing customers to fill up on more expensive super unleaded or performance diesel.
Worse news is that the strike may not yet be over. The protesting drivers of Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport, both contracted to Shell, and are campaigning for their wages to reflect the rising cost of living. Talks between the two sides have started again with cautious optimism but if the dispute is not resolved by Friday, drivers have said they will perform yet another four-day strike this weekend. Shell has warned that any further action would have a "significant impact" on supplies to its garages.
Have you noticed any panic buying in your area? Have you yourself struggled to get petrol? Let us know in the blog section below….
Sky Motoring says: Something tells me this isn’t going to be the only fuel strike we encounter this summer. With Britain’s haulage industry struggling to remain profitable as it stomachs the ever-increasing cost of fuel, it seems the mid-term solution we need is an alternative fuel source for the masses.
Perhaps the answer is on its way from Japan. Honda’s first ever production hydrogen fuel cell car, called the FCX Clarity, has come off the line today after a staggering 19-years in development. As a test bed, lease sales of the car which emits water (and only water) from its exhaust pipe are expected to start in the States next month. Honda can’t make a mass market version quick enough…
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16 June 2008
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