Petrol sales drop follows Ministers’ advice to keep tanks topped up

Sales of fuel over Easter fell by almost a third compared with a year ago in the wake of the panic buying by drivers after the Government advised them to top up their tanks because of threatened strikes.

The Retail Motor Industry said that over the four-day weekend sales of unleaded petrol were 29 per cent less than the year before, diesel was 2.9 per cent down, super diesel 60 per cent lower and super unleaded 39 per cent.

Some motorists already had plenty of petrol after panic buying last month, while some garages were out of stock, said the RMI.

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The bad weather also contributed to fewer people travelling over the holiday period, it was suggested.

Garages were swamped with motorists filling up cars and petrol cans at the end of last month after Ministers urged them to keep them topped up after fuel tanker drivers voted to strike.

Garages faced chaos and long queues following the Government’s heavily-criticised advice.

Labour called for the resignation of Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude for advising motorists to store jerry cans of fuel in their garages.

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Talks between the Unite union and representatives of six haulage firms to try to avert strikes by the tanker drivers resumed yesterday at Acas.

Chief conciliator Peter Harwood said: “I am encouraged that talks are continuing.”

The dispute over terms and conditions and health and safety had been brewing for more than a year but flared up last month.

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