Drivers in Shrewsbury who filled their vehicles with contaminated diesel fuel six months ago are still reporting a lack of compensation for the damage caused. The issue, which emerged in December, stemmed from water contaminating the underground diesel tanks at a local petrol station. The director of the business, Niroji Gnanapragasam, has acknowledged the problem, attributing it to "old pumps and tanks" that had not been properly maintained.
Ms Gnanapragasam confirmed that the petrol station accepts responsibility for all compensation claims and is actively engaging with her insurance company to resolve the situation. Initially, it was believed only one tank was affected, but the discovery of potential contamination in others led to the closure of all diesel tanks. She stated, "I am aware of the situation, and I agree that there need to be changes done to improve the standard. We are fully aware that everything will be settled."
Among those affected is Andy Harrison, a self-employed painter-decorator, whose work van broke down just 300 yards after filling up on 1st December. He described waiting for six hours amidst numerous other broken-down vehicles. Mr Harrison was forced to claim the damage through his own insurance, resulting in the loss of three years of no-claims bonus and an annual premium increase of approximately £700. He estimates the overall cost, including lost earnings and insurance expenses, to be around £2,000, and reports a lack of communication from the petrol station regarding his claim.
Another motorist, David Bush, experienced a warning light on his dashboard four days after topping up at the station. An engineer, Mr Bush was concerned about the long-term damage water in the fuel system could cause. He initially had his fuel filter system replaced, costing £444.16, but this did not fully resolve the problem. He later had fuel filter sensors replaced, which finally cured the issue. Mr Bush believes affected individuals should be fully reimbursed for repairs, the contaminated fuel purchased, and any additional costs such as hire car expenses.
The Mount service station is independently owned but operates under the Essar brand. Essar has confirmed its awareness of the contamination issue, stating that once water was identified in the underground tank, the affected tanks were immediately taken out of service. Essar added that the dealer has since informed them the issue is resolved, assuring customers that fuel can now be confidently purchased from the site.