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A number of petrol stations owned by BP and Esso have been forced out of operation by a lack of fuel deliveries as a result of a nationwide HGV driver shortage.
They include a “small number” out of 200 Tesco petrol forecourts that are operated by ExxonMobil-owned Esso.
BP has said that it is reducing petrol and diesel deliveries to its own forecourts due to HGV driver shortages.
Downing Street has urged people to buy fuel “as normal” despite the closures of some forecourts.
A spokesman for PM Boris Johnson pointed to changes made by the Department for Transport to make it quicker for HGV drivers to gain their licences.
“This is a problem that many countries around the world are tackling,” he added.
HGV driver shortage ‘rapidly worsening crisis’ – Labour
Labour has called on the government to invest in HGV driver training and jobs to fix the logistics sector for the long-term.
Jim McMahon, shadow transport secretary, said: “This is a rapidly worsening crisis that the Government has failed to heed the warnings of for a decade, never investing in or valuing working-class jobs.
“Sticking plaster solutions are not going to solve it. Ministers must take decisive steps now to tackle the 90,000 driver shortfall.
“If they fail to take action, the responsibility for every empty shelf, every vital medicine not delivered and every supplier not able to meet demand lies at the Conservatives’ door.”
Lamiat Sabin23 September 2021 17:40
Warning against panic buying of petrol and diesel
Motorists have been urged not to panic buy fuel amid the supply shortage.
A spokeswoman for trade body Logistics UK said: “The driver shortage is a very serious issue that needs urgent Government and industry action to resolve, however we urge people not to panic buy.
“The logistics industry is resilient and has proven capable of supporting shops, families and businesses during Covid-19, border closures and the first stages of Brexit, and will continue to serve the needs of the nation.”
Lamiat Sabin23 September 2021 17:20
London and south-east particularly hit by supply delays
Gordon Balmer, an executive director at the Petrol Retailers Association, which represents independent forecourts across the UK, said some sites are suffering from delays, particularly those in London and south-east England.
He recommended that motorists keep enough fuel in the tank to reach alternative filling stations in the “rare instance” that fuel is not available at the first one they visit.
Lamiat Sabin23 September 2021 17:00
Fuel shortage ‘caused by delays in the supply chain’ – BP
BP said in a statement: “We are experiencing fuel supply issues at some of our retail sites in the UK and unfortunately have therefore seen a handful of sites temporarily close due to a lack of both unleaded and diesel grades.
“These have been caused by delays in the supply chain, which has been impacted by industry-wide driver shortages across the UK, and we are working hard to address this issue.
“We continue to work with our haulier supplier to minimise disruption and to ensure efficient and effective deliveries to serve our customers. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Lamiat Sabin23 September 2021 16:38
Shortage situation ‘very bad’, says BP’s head of retail
BP’s head of UK retail Hanna Hofer described the petrol shortage situation as “bad, very bad”.
She said that it could continue for weeks.
Lamiat Sabin23 September 2021 16:36
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Lamiat Sabin23 September 2021 16:35
