LONDON: Britain’s petrol stations are still running out of fuel, a group of retailers warned on Thursday, refuting claims by the government that panic buying is waning.
Queues continued to form at refueling stations, particularly in London and southern England, including a site in Hampshire where a transport truck carrying a military helicopter was seen.
Troops are expected to be deployed within a few days to help ease the crisis, with Prime Minister Boris johnson This week insisted that the situation was returning to normal.
treasure Chief Secretary simon clarke Sky News reported on Thursday that “more fuel is being delivered to petrol stations than is being sold, so that the crisis is now completely under control”.
However, the Petrol Retailers Association said 27 per cent of the stations have dried up – the same number on Wednesday.
“PRA members are reporting that while they continue to make further deliveries of fuel, it is running faster than usual due to unprecedented demand,” said association head Gordon Balmer.
Last week’s shortage of tanker drivers raised fears of pumps running dry, leading to panic and fighting between some furious drivers.
Johnson’s government campaigned for an end to free movement across Europe during Brexit, promising to “take back control” of what it called uncontrolled immigration.
But last weekend it reversed entry rules to offer foreign truck drivers a three-month visa waiver, expected to ease driver shortages that have further strained supply chains.
“It is important to remember that fuel stocks at refineries and terminals remain normal, and deliveries have been completely curtailed due to a shortage of HGV (heavy goods vehicle) drivers,” Ballmer said.
Queues continued to form at refueling stations, particularly in London and southern England, including a site in Hampshire where a transport truck carrying a military helicopter was seen.
Troops are expected to be deployed within a few days to help ease the crisis, with Prime Minister Boris johnson This week insisted that the situation was returning to normal.
treasure Chief Secretary simon clarke Sky News reported on Thursday that “more fuel is being delivered to petrol stations than is being sold, so that the crisis is now completely under control”.
However, the Petrol Retailers Association said 27 per cent of the stations have dried up – the same number on Wednesday.
“PRA members are reporting that while they continue to make further deliveries of fuel, it is running faster than usual due to unprecedented demand,” said association head Gordon Balmer.
Last week’s shortage of tanker drivers raised fears of pumps running dry, leading to panic and fighting between some furious drivers.
Johnson’s government campaigned for an end to free movement across Europe during Brexit, promising to “take back control” of what it called uncontrolled immigration.
But last weekend it reversed entry rules to offer foreign truck drivers a three-month visa waiver, expected to ease driver shortages that have further strained supply chains.
“It is important to remember that fuel stocks at refineries and terminals remain normal, and deliveries have been completely curtailed due to a shortage of HGV (heavy goods vehicle) drivers,” Ballmer said.
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