Don't Panic Mr Mainwaring

We were perhaps a little premature last week in wondering why Rhuthun’s petrol stations remained deserted at the prospect of fuel disruption. That certainly wasn’t the case yesterday morning, when business at Rhuthun’s two forecourts was very brisk. Rhuthun’s motorists joined the lemming-like UK rush to the pumps, helping no doubt to push the pump price still higher when Monday comes.

Earlier last week, fuel was a penny a litre cheaper (it went up - again - on Friday). At least one national newspaper yesterday promised the birth of the £5 per gallon, something Rhuthun is already now quite used to. Since Friday, unleaded increased to £1.099 per litre, equivalent to £4.99 per gallon. Diesel became £5.49.

And there’s even talk of 3p, 5p or even 10p a litre added to petrol next week, bring Rhuthun’s unleaded pump price to £1.199 per litre. Perhaps those who were filling up yesterday may actually have secured a bargain.

If, like in September 2000, Rhuthun's pumps run dry, matters could get extremely sticky. The UK government even admitted on Friday that it could not guarantee that all forecourts could continue to be refuelled.

Meanwhile, Rhuthun’s garages yesterday were not rationing fuel. And by the afternoon, it seemed everything was back to normal… at least for now.