Fuel protestors defiant

Local farmers, hauliers and taxi drivers were cheered during a carnival-like protest around Lancaster's one-way system on Tuesday night.

And on Wednesday afternoon taxi drivers brought the city centre to a virtual standstill.

Across the district the fuel pumps ran dry with long queues at local garages and there was panic buying of milk and bread at some supermarkets.

The emergency services say they have sufficient fuel but are concerned about how staff will get to work.

People were forced to cancel appointments as the petrol run out and many local businesses reported a drop in trade.

The fire brigade has expressed worries about safety as people hoard fuel in their garages and garden sheds and some local bus services have been suspended.

Social services are reserving fuel to ensure services can be maintained for the most vulnerable and the RSPCA say they are struggling to respond to calls for help.

As the Government considers introducing "emergency powers," Lancaster's MP Hilton Dawson has made a personal plea to the protesters saying: "Let's talk it through."

Taxi boss Jim Harrison was part of Tuesday night's demonstration which saw dozens of lorries and farm vehicles and about 50 taxis take to the streets.

"I was gobsmacked at how many people came out in support," said Mr Harrison. "Everyone's struggling for fuel and a lot of people have been inconvenienced but there was a carnival atmosphere with horns beeping and people waving. One man came up to my cab and offered me a pint of beer! I've seen my fuel bills go up by about £1,800 a month over the last year but the Government isn't listening. Tony Blair blames OPEC but why is fuel only 39p a litre in Portugal and 84p in this country? Our fuel tax is far too high."

Mr Peter Hayton, from local haulage firm Edmondsons, said there was no chance of the crisis being over within 24 hours. "We've got less than a days diesel left and it's going to be some time before the situation gets back to normal," he said. "We're lucky because 90 per cent of our fleet is overseas so we've told the drivers to fill up before coming back. If we run out of fuel we could be forced to lay off drivers - it's as simple as that.

"This has been in the making for the last 12 months and was prompted by the French action last week. We're getting a raw deal in Britain and haulage firms are fighting for their livelihoods. All we want is a level playing field."

Chief Executive of the Chamber of Trade, Adrian Wilkinson, said business was suffering.

"It's getting critical. There's been a down turn in business, hotel bookings have been cancelled and shops have reported a drop in sales. Some suppliers are not delivering and it's getting tough for some small businesses. The issue is important - our fuel prices and tax burden are too high - but I don't think this is the right way to go about it."

Ambulance Chief, Mr David Hill, said the fuel crisis would not affect emergency calls but a small number of none-emergency patients may miss their appointments.

He said: "We have adequate diesel stocks on our ambulance stations to ensure that we can continue to provide a normal service for the immediate future. We are giving priority wherever possible to patients who need transport to access cancer and renal services. Many of these patients use the voluntary Ambulance Car Service and those drivers are experiencing the same problems as the general public in obtaining unleaded petrol."

Fire Chief John Williamson warned about the dangers of people hoarding fuel and said: "Storing fuel obviously introduces enormous additional risk, particularly if leaky containers and trails of spilt fuel provide the means by which a fire can easily be started. Stored fuel presents a fire an explosion hazard whatever the container and it is something I must emphatically advise against."

The County Council has set up a special team to co-ordinate fuel supplies to essential services and Leader John West said: "Our priority is to ensure that frontline emergency services and those to vulnerable people such as children and the elderly, are able to function as effectively as possible. I would ask local people to try and conserve what fuel supplies there are. Panic buying could be depriving those people who need a car to reach vulnerable people in the community."

Bus services have been affected, some school buses have been cancelled, and bus users are advised to call the transport hotline on 0870 608 2608.

MP Hilton Dawson said the protesters could loose the support of the public unless they stopped their action.

"The road protest had made its point extremely effectively but now I think that there is a real danger to the lives and well-being of the whole constituency. I also believe that those who are protesting could quickly lose the support of a great many people who sympathise with them if they continue with this action."

What do you think of the fuel crises? Do you support the protesters? Has the lack of fuel been a nightmare? Write to our lively letters pages with your views.