DRIVERS have been warned about storing extra fuel at home as the queues at petrol stations continued at the weekend – leading to some garages putting limits on how much can be purchased, or sites being forced to temporarily close altogether.
As motorists queued at filling stations and onto adjoining roads leading to traffic problems, there have been local reports of people filling up extra containers with fuel at the pumps as well as their own vehicles.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service warned against 'stockpiling' fuel and said people should only buy what they need.
People have again been warned that there is enough fuel to go around and not to panic buy.
A shortage of HGV drivers - not fuel - is being blamed for the crisis, although a rush on the pumps is causing temporary shortages at some sites until the tanks can be filled up again.
The Government announced at the weekend a temporary foreign visa scheme that will see 5,000 HGV drivers brought in on three-month contracts to tackle fuel delivery difficulties.
On Saturday, some Weymouth garages ran out of fuel altogether including the BP station in Dorchester Road and the Sainsbury's station in Mercery Road, while other sites saw huge queues with only a few pumps available. The Sainsbury's site was back open yesterday with stewards managing traffic queues.
It was less chaotic across the area yesterday as motorists were able to fill up within reasonable waiting times.
However one staff member at the Morrisons filling station, said yesterday: "It's been crazy. There were huge queues even before I started my shift at 8am when we opened.
"I have seen people filling up cans. It's ridiculous."
He said around noon yesterday, there was only one operating pump with petrol at the Morrisons site, while the other working pumps all had diesel.
Although people are legally allowed to store up to a maximum of 30 litres of fuel, it must be in particular types of containers.
Director of community safety at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service Andy Cole warned against storing additional canned fuel at home saying it was 'extremely dangerous'.
He said: "It's dangerous because if not correctly stored in proper containers or if it is stored in excessive quantities it can make any fire worse."
Meanwhile, local councillor Tia Roos warned that a temporary shortage of fuel will be created if some motorists continue to panic buy through filling up their vehicle at the pump - along with filling up additional cans of fuel.
She said: "People should be mindful that panic fuelling will mean those who work in essential services such as adult social care, won’t be able to get the fuel they need for at least a short while. However, that short while can be vital to vulnerable adults and children."
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