End in sight for petrol shortages
Depots and some refineries back in action, but return to normal will take several days
DRIVERS should find it easier to fill up their cars from today, as fuel depot and some refinery workers return to work after a two-week strike.
Every fuel depot in France has been reopened by police, and workers at three of 12 refineries have voted to call off their walkout.
The three refineries are Fos-sur-Mer near Marseille, Gravenchon in Normandy and Reichstett near Strasbourg, which between them provide petrol for large parts of the north, east and south of France.
Ecology minister Jean-Louis Borloo said 80 per cent of petrol stations should be topped up today.
A return to normal will take several days, and much depends on the port blockades at Le Havre and Marseille, where tankers are waiting to deliver crude oil.
France has been importing fuel from neighbouring countries since Saturday and petrol pump prices have risen as a result.
Finance minister Christine Lagarde said spot checks had been carried out on 2,000 petrol stations and 40 owners had been fined for "abusive" price rises.
She said the conflict had reached a "turning point" and discussions between unions and the government were continuing.
CGT union general secretary Bernard Thibault said the movement would continue in "different forms".
Another nationwide strike day has been called for Thursday. We will have more information on the impact it will have on travel and schools tomorrow.
