Fuel tanker strike hits garages

Petrol stations in Cornwall were hit by picket lines in Plymouth

Nearly 200 petrol stations across Cornwall have experienced problems or been forced to close because of strike action by fuel tanker drivers.

All three petrol stations in one town were empty on the fourth and final day of the strike over pay.

Some drivers from Liskeard travelled to Plymouth to fill up.

Devon and Cornwall Business Council chair Tim Jones said: "People saw a lot of 'no petrol' signs and that started a ripple effect."

The strike is a result of a dispute between haulage firms contracted to Shell and their tanker drivers.

Petrol stations which ran out of fuel included one in the village of Playing Place and the Texaco station in Threemilestone.

Some drivers at a petrol station at Saltash, near Plymouth, drove straight in and out after it ran out of standard diesel and petrol, with limited stocks of high-grade petrol.

Emergency services said they had good fuel stocks to carry out their duties. The county fire brigade said it had enough to carry out between four and six weeks of operations.

Diesel checks

Police and the ambulance service said they had similar stocks.

Police in Cornwall also carried out some spot checks on roads to ensure drivers were not using pink or red diesel, which is produced for agriculture and construction vehicles.

All off-road vehicles are allowed to use the fuel, but only vehicles such as agricultural tractors, combine harvesters, and materials' handlers are entitled to use it on public highways.

Picket lines were in place at a fuel depot in Cattedown, Plymouth, until late on Monday afternoon, barring any tankers from taking deliveries for both Devon and Cornwall.

Fuel supplies began to leave the site after picketers left.

Talks were held on Monday between haulage firms contracted to Shell and their tanker drivers to avert another strike next weekend. They are due to continue on Tuesday.