THE partial lifting of blockades at fuel terminals looks unlikely to produce a quick solution for the bulk of Malvern motorists.

Garage operators says they still have no firm information about the arrival of supplies and some say it could be weeks before the situation gets back to normal.

Fuel tankers were due to be back making local deliveries yesterday (Thursday), according to a statement from the planning group representing the emergency and public services.

But that fuel is earmarked for emergency and essential services.

Meanwhile petrol stations remain dry and police are urging people to conserve fuel, use public transport, car share or work from home.

Richard Peplow, assistant manager at BP Sunny Lodge filling station, in Malvern Link, said: "We're completely dry and we've no idea when we'll be getting supplies.

"It'll take three or four tanker loads to fill up out tanks, so it could be a week or more before things are back to normal."

A spokesman at A D Daniels, in Wells Road, said: "We closed our pumps on Wednesday, although we have some left reserved for doctors and emergency services. At the moment we don't know when we will be getting more."

Claire Guy, at Malvern Springs in Malvern Link, said: "We haven't got any. We're apparently on a priority list for stations to supply the emergency services, but Texaco hasn't said when we'll be getting a tanker. It will take days for things to get back to normal. It won't happen overnight."

At Bicknells, in Pickersleigh Road, forecourt manager Grahame Close said: "We haven't got any juice and we haven't heard when we'll be getting any. If I got a load in now, it would go in two days. I reckon it will take about two weeks to get back to normal."

AT Countrywide store, in Hanley Road, Upton, Chris Buckle said: "We're on the DTI list of emergency deliveries. I hope we will be getting one tomorrow (Friday) but it will be for emergency vehicles and doctors only."

Rail operators have reported a big increase in passengers while supermarkets have been faced with panic buying, particularly bread and milk.

Traffic on roads has been light, with the M5 operating at about 25 per cent of normal traffic on Wednesday. Local schools have been operating on "bad weather winter arrangements" but, as yet, none in the Malvern Hills has had to close.

Julie Phelan, spokesman for Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust, said the picture was now brighter. Around 30 non-urgent in-patient operations have been cancelled but yesterday (Thursday) word came that NHS staff should be able to access supplies of fuel from designated garages.

"By Monday we expect to be back to normal," she said.