Letter: No panic buy

Your report (15 January) on fuel tanker drivers being balloted on industrial action is yet more bad news for already hard-pressed motorists.

Coming on top of adverse winter weather, potholed roads and soaring fuel costs, it is something else we could do without.

It therefore adds insult to injury to be accused of "panic buying" fuel, in the face of possible strike action. If supplies are threatened, I don't "panic", I "plan", taking care to ensure I keep my tank topped up whenever possible, and I'd be surprised if most other motorists didn't do this too.

It's not "panic buying", it's "prudent purchasing", and it makes perfect sense.

JAMES L SHEARER

Cargilfield View

Edinburgh

Green campaigners said soaring fuel prices were "good for the planet" as they would drive motorists out of gas-guzzling cars.

Tony Bosworth, the Friends of Earth transport campaigner, said: "The days of cheap fuel are over and ministers must stand up to the motoring lobby and make it clear that petrol prices will continue to rise".

These zealots will not be happy until our civilisation is reduced to the horse and cart, we are all vegetarian, we grow our own food and barter has replaced money, all with zero impact on world CO2 levels.

CLARK CROSS

Springfield Road

Linlithgow