Fuel rationing – The shape of things to come?
The queues for fuel at the pumps is prompting speculation that the Government will announce Fuel rationing. Brian Morton in The Observer,writes that he thinks Petrol rationing will be political suicide. Petrol rationing happened in WW2, the Suez crisis and in 1973. In September 2000 there was a series of fuel protests and the public pushed aside thoughts for health and safety and started to hoard their own fuel.
I have seen in the press little consultation with the transport companies, The AA, The RHA and other organisations. This isn’t good news for businesses that need transport.
Transport firm boss Norman Peyton, 45, who went to fill up at Asda in Leigh, Greater Manchester, said: “These queues are a joke. I think it’ll get to where it’s rationed, which would put me out of business because I need £50 worth a night.”
Essex courier and transport company, Arrow Light Haulage are urging people to be sensible and not to start storing fuel on business or domestic premises. Sarah Arrow, Communications Director suggests people act in the long term, and use the public transport infrastructure whenever possible. She agrees with Norman Peyton, that people could put local companies out of business if they don’t act with caution.
The average fuel price is expected to breach £5 a gallon mark – 110p a litre – this week. One garage in Bridgend, Scottish Highlands, has hiked prices for unleaded petrol by 5p to 115.9p a litre. On the motorways its 125.9ppl. Drivers just see it as a way for the Oil companies to make money.
Tory business spokesman Alan Duncan said: “It seems to have taken the Government a long time to appreciate the severe consequences of a refinery shutdown.”
The Guardian have launched through their blog, a Google Map to map the effects of the refinery shutdown, you can add yours here —– Petrol/Fuel rationing map
The following article, is about the effects of rationing in WW2…
On the 3rd September 1939 the government announced that petrol and oil was to be rationed, allowing about 200 miles of motoring per month for each motorist.
Car sharing became popular and if a sign was displayed in the window offering people lifts then extra petrol rations would be allowed. Critics claimed that the basic civilian monthly ration was to low and that the allotted ration could be used up in one day.
Never the less the Government implemented petrol rationing in order to conserve as much oil as possible for the war effort which was much needed for aircraft and other service vehicles.
Driving tests were also suspended due to petrol rationing; except of course for forces personnel. Because of petrol shortages it meant there were fewer vehicles on the road and most people relied on public transport a lot more, which also caused a great deal of problems.
Due to this the Government issued posters and campaigns urging people not to travel at all, unless their journey was really necessary.
Article courtesy of WW2 Ex RAF
Will we see more of these kinds of activity in the near future? Will the green movement for transport be heard?
So, Petrol rationing – how will it affect you?
Regards
Kevin
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