- Title: Tankers leave oil depot north of London as fuel panic persists
- Date: 28th September 2021
- Summary: HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 28, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FUEL TANKERS TURNING OF MAIN ROAD AND ENTERING BUNCEFIELD OIL DEPOT BUNCEFIELD OIL DEPOT FUEL TANKER DRIVING OUT OF OIL DEPOT
- Embargoed: 12th October 2021 15:21
- Keywords: Fuel shortage fuel crisis fuel depot fuel stations oil depot panic buying petrol stations tanker
- Location: HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Europe,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001EWMVUX3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Fuel tankers were seen entering and later departing an oil depot north of London on Tuesday (September 28) after panic buying left pumps dry across major cities in the UK and prompted the government to put the army on standby.
A post-Brexit shortage of truck drivers, exacerbated by a halt to truck-driving-license testing during COVID lockdowns and people leaving the haulage industry, has sown chaos through supply chains, raising the specter of shortages and price rises in the run up to Christmas.
Britain put a limited number of military tanker drivers on a state of readiness to be deployed to deliver fuel if necessary.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said there were some hints the situation was easing as reserves at some gas stations had been replenished.
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), which represents independent fuel retailers who account for 65% of all the 8,380 UK forecourts, said many sites had run dry, but the situation did appear to be slowly improving.
The government on Sunday (September 26) announced a plan to issue temporary visas for 5,000 foreign truck drivers.
But some Polish hauliers said that offer was laughable and that few would be likely to take it up.
Hauliers, petrol stations and retailers say there are no quick fixes as the shortfall of truck drivers - estimated at about 100,000 - was so acute, and because transporting fuel demands additional training and licensing.
(Production: Paul Childs, Lucy Marks) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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