A Cumbrian MP will ask the energy minister to personally intervene to prevent the closure of an oil terminal which could potentially drive up petrol prices and see small petrol stations in the county shut down.

The Dalston oil depot, which supplies unleaded petrol to garages in the region, will close in December, owner Petroineos has announced, due to the site operating at a loss. 

Ian Chambers, who is one of the business owners set to be affected, says that without this depot, garages across Cumbria will have to look further afield to receive their fuel which will drive up costs for themselves, and for their customers. 

Mr Chambers, who owns Chambers Garage in Tirril, said: "If we can't get unleaded fuel without paying an extortionate price or a much higher price, my local customers aren't going to come in.

"They're going to say: 'Ian, why is your fuel 10-20p a litre dearer than what we can get in Penrith?' and this will be the indication where we've got a product that we can't sell.

"We would then have to make a massive decision whether we would continue just to sell diesel alone or make the sacrifice and literally close the forecourt down that's been here for nearly 70 years."

Due to concern about the future of his business, which has been in his family for many years, Mr Chambers reached out to his local MP for support.

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has committed to speaking to the energy minister to request that he personally intervenes to try to prevent the closure of the depot.

Mr Farron said: “The news that Dalston oil terminal is to close will come as a devastating blow to our local economy, and especially to those vital family run garages that are so essential to our rural communities.

“With increased transport costs pushing up fuel prices, this will be a hammer blow for local small businesses.

“Our rural communities risk becoming collateral damage in the failure of the UK and Scottish Governments to deal with the decision by Petroineos to close Grangemouth oil refinery, who own and supply the Dalston oil terminal.

“I will be raising this issue with the Energy Minister, and asking him to personally intervene to try to prevent this closure.”

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: "We are aware that Petroineos is consulting with its workforce about the possible sale or closure of Dalston oil terminal.

"This is a commercial decision for the company. We understand this is a concerning time for workers and their families, and we are monitoring the situation."