There's going to be fuel shortages in the UK real soon

[billyskank]

The fuel price lobby here has been intimating that there will be protests this week. Back in 2000 truckers blockaded refineries in the UK, complaining of high fuel prices. That protest lasted a week, causing large disruption throughout the whole country, although the protest had fairly wide public sympathy. At that time the price of petrol was about 80p a litre; today it is more like 95p.

It is not clear what the fuel protesters are intending to do. So how do I know there are going to be shortages? During the last protest, supplies were not actually that badly affected. The shortages were caused by panic buying. This morning there were queues at the petrol station; the cashier at the petrol station was saying that this was very irregular, and grumbling that this panic buying was unnecessary. (I have to admit I was part of the problem; I had half a tank already but I wanted to have enough to get me through the next week and a half, just in case).

So I think that panic buying is going to cause another fuel shortage, regardless of what the fuel protesters actually do.

There was one upside to it all. The roads are much more civilised this way. I noticed this last time also; everybody drives slower to conserve fuel. I myself was also driving with a light foot, avoiding hard acceleration, short-shifting and driving at or under the speed limit all the way. The trip to work is much less stressful when everyone is driving in this manner!

[tjwmason]

1. Not that I'm going to enjoy this

But I walk to work, and so will still be able to bounce along, with a smug self-satisfied smile on my face. :P

[billyskank]

2. Good for you

You are not polluting the place. I wish I lived closer to work (but moving house is such a hassle, especially when you're not renting).

[tjwmason]

5. I much prefer walking.

Even when the weather's pretty crap - it's not an urban environment, so there are birds, squirrels (bloody invader grey ones though), trees; and the folk are nearly all jolly enough to say good morning.

[texanwitch]

3. HI Billyskank

So how much does it cost to fill up a small car there, it is getting expensive here. My street used to have lost of traffic, not now.

[billyskank]

6. It costs about 35UKP to fill my car

You would definitely say my car is small (1.4 litre engine, 1,100 kilo kerb weight).
:hi:

[texanwitch]

7. I have a small pickup truck, good on gas but still expensive.

I have cut back on driving, so I don't need to fill up but every two weeks. Last fill up on a almost empty tank was $35.

[MissHoneychurch]

4. I remember 2000

I was on vacation in Wales and we were cutting down what to see because of the shortage. We had to make sure to get back to London with the gas.

[billyskank]

8. That was a tight week

I wasn't prepared, so I was caught at the beginning of the protest with half a tank. Fortunately at the time I drove an even smaller car than the one I have now, so I was able to make it through the week without running out!

[billyskank]

9. Kick for no reason at all

:P

[DS1]

10. I haven't "floored" my car in months

and shift from 1st to 3rd just about every time.

[billyskank]

11. It took a lot of self-control

but I managed to get 47mpg on the way home from work. Yesterday driving up the motorway from London I achieved 55mpg - a personal best.

[BiggJawn]

12. What do you drive? An old "Isetta"?

We have motorcycles over here that don't get 55 MPG....

Or do you work on a mountain top and live in a valley?

[billyskank]

13. No, a nice new hatchback

with a (by your standards) microscopic 1.4 litre 100hp engine.

[BiggJawn]

14. OK, Inquiring minds want to know...

WHO's 1400 hatchback?

BTW, 1.4L is not "microscopic" to ALL us Murkans. I've driven my share of 1200 VW's...

[billyskank]

15. A "Fabia" made by Skoda, who are subsidiary of VW.

They come from the Czech Republic.

[BiggJawn]

16. Ohhhhhhhhh.....Skodas...(Pant! Pant!)

Those are some NICE looking cars! My Girlfriend noticed them during the TdF and commented on how she liked the way it looked better than her Civic (a MAJOR admission for her!). Of course I don't think the official cars had 1400's in them...:-)

Alas, can't get them here....:-(

Thanks!