A FUEL station implemented an emergency services only policy as fuel began to run low and is now enforcing a temporary spending cap.


Owermoigne Petrol Station on Wareham Road shut off to the public in the afternoon of September, Sunday 26, to keep fuel specifically for the emergency services.

 

Read more: Seventh day of fuel shortages at Dorset petrol stations


“We wanted to reserve fuel for blue lights, vets, ambulances, and all sorts of emergency services,” said Anthony Bennett, manager of the fuel station.


He said a tanker of fuel arrived on Wednesday, allowing the station to supply members of the public again, but a £20 spending cap was introduced to ensure supplies would last.


Owermoigne Petrol Station is not alone in introducing a limit on the amount of fuel customers can buy as forecourts up and down the country implement spending caps.


The petrol station, owned by Texaco, has a protocol in place for situations like this to continue providing fuel for the emergency services when the pumps begin to start running out.


However, Mr Bennett said the the issue is not the supply of petrol and diesel and whether the garage runs out relies on public consumption.


The 54-year-old said: “It all depends if people panic buy. We have enough for 10days and there is a protocol for this.

 

Read more: Chris Loder MP column on petrol shortage


“Let's hope everyone has enough for seven days and if they have we, in the industry, will catch up because there is no problem with supply.”


The manager said it is always ‘good to stop serving before people’ before the pumps run dry so they can supply the services which need it.


Mr Bennett said: “We needed to get rationing initially and we held back for the emergency services.”


Now that the garage has had a delivery the manager said customers should only take what they need to allow for the country to come out of the situation.


He added: “With moderate buying we will come out of it and we will come out of it.”