This was the scene at Morrisons, Squire's Gate as cars queued for fuel

This was the scene at Morrisons, Squire's Gate as cars queued for fuel

Fuel crisis of 2000: How Blackpool coped as the tanks ran dry

Queues of cars blocked roads outside petrol stations, buses were forced to cut their services and it was a tough time to keep police cars running. It was the fuel protests of 2000.

By Claire Lark

Published 18th Sep 2020, 15:45 BST

Escalating protests by lorry drivers over fuel prices saw blockades outside oil refineries, bringing the country to a standstill. In Blackpool, emergency meetings were taking place to decide how to combat the fuel crisis to keep the Fylde Coast moving.

Drivers spent hours looking for petrol as their vehicle tanks ran dry. This photo was taken at a petrol station on Preston New Road

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Drivers spent hours looking for petrol as their vehicle tanks ran dry. This photo was taken at a petrol station on Preston New Road

Chiropractor Gareth Jones found a century-old solution to the fuel crisis

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Chiropractor Gareth Jones found a century-old solution to the fuel crisis

Tourism also took a hit with the Illuminations experiencing the quietest weekend on record.

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Tourism also took a hit with the Illuminations experiencing the quietest weekend on record.

A petrol pump is closed as the protest blockades start to take effect across the Fylde.

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A petrol pump is closed as the protest blockades start to take effect across the Fylde.

Drivers from Blackpool Transport celebrate their first fuel delivery

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Drivers from Blackpool Transport celebrate their first fuel delivery

Even Blackpool football club mascot is struggling in the petrol crisis

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Even Blackpool football club mascot is struggling in the petrol crisis

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