‘One in three petrol stations closed’ in south of England amid oil terminal protests
Queues of cars seen snaking out of forecourts as pumps run dry
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.One in three petrol stations were forced to close in southern England amid oil terminal protests, according to fuel campaigners.
The Fair Fuel UK Campaign claimed an estimated 1,200 pumps south of the Midlands had run dry on Sunday as action by Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion continued.
Images showed queues of cars snaking out of petrol station forecourts in Kent, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire as motorists attempted to fill up ahead of the working week.
Fair Fuel UK wrote on Twitter: “We are getting credible intelligence that 1 in 3 garages have run dry of petrol and/or diesel particularly in the south, because of the ‘stop oil’ amoebas. Why is the govt not acting?”
Activists targeted three fuel depots in Hertfordshire, Essex and Warwickshire on Sunday, locking themselves onto pipes and blocking entrances to the sites, making it difficult to move fuel in and out.
Priti Patel tries to blame Labour for fuel shortages
When is the Big Power Off? Britons urged to ‘go dark’ in protest against soaring energy bills
GMB viewers compare Richard Madeley interview with climate activist to Don’t Look Up 
Fuel protests creating ‘unacceptable’ risk of harm, police claim as climate activists block oil terminals
The campaigners, who have been demonstrating since 1 April, are calling for the government to stop all new oil and gas projects.
A government spokesperson confirmed the protests had led to short-term disruption to fuel deliveries – but urged people not to panic buy.
They said in a statement: “Just Stop Oil protest activity at some oil terminals has led to short-term disruptions to fuel deliveries over the past few days.
“The police are working to remove protestors from sites so normal deliveries can resume.
“We are working closely with industry to ensure that supplies are maintained. The public should continue to purchase fuel as normal.”
Home secretary Priti Patel branded the “selfish” protesters an “eco mob” as she attempted to blame Labour for not supporting the Conservatives’ new draconian police powers in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
She told the Daily Mail: "Hard-working people across our country are seeing their lives brought to a standstill by selfish, fanatical and frankly dangerous so-called activists.
"Keir Starmer’s Labour Party repeatedly voted against our proposals that would have given the police extra powers to deal with this eco mob.
"The police have my full backing in doing everything necessary to address this public nuisance."
Motorists are said to be facing the most expensive Easter on record when it comes to fuel prices.
The latest government figures show the average cost of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts on 4 April was 161.9p, with diesel at 176.0p.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments