Police today appealed for calm to motorists as petrol supplies began to flow back into Bradford stations.

Drivers were also warned to steer clear of Government-designated sites reserved to supply fuel to emergency services and other vital organisations.

Oil companies were on target to refuel designated stations as they vowed to lay on extra resources to speed up the lengthy process.

By last night, oil companies were on course to have made deliveries to 3,300 filling stations designated as a priority by the Government.

But although oil companies have been ferrying fuel to the priority stations, oil companies said it could be two weeks before motorists were able to fill up without queuing.

At Saltaire petrol station today long queues were forming as drivers waited for more fuel to arrive.

A Shell spokesman said: "The trouble is, as soon as deliveries are made, the stations run dry again. The tankers are being followed for miles by queues of motorists desperate to see where the fuel is being delivered."

Bradford Police have appealed for restraint as huge queues formed outside newly-restocked stations open to the wider public, causing major traffic congestion to surrounding areas.

They asked people to avoid them unless "absolutely essential". Superintendent Trevor Brading said: "We realise the concern that drivers will have to refuel but we ask that they continue to be patient in order to minimise disruption."

The news came as Bradford protesters involved in the blockades vowed to return to the refineries if taxes were not cut.

They also attacked claims that their actions had placed the public at risk. Raymond Thomas, a haulier from Wibsey, had joined the blockade in Castleford.

He said: "From day one, fuel was allowed out to the emergency services - we knew this had to be the priority. The Government spin machine is now saying we put people at risk but that simply was not the case."

Mr Thomas, a member of the Hauliers and Farmers Alliance, said: "This action was off the cuff but now we are organised. If Mr Blair does not sort things out in the next 60 days we will be back where we were."