ANP Productions | Source: ANNP
The UK will deploy British soldiers in the coming days to help with fuel shortages at gas stations. Motorists are still queuing for fuel. Due to the shortage of tanker drivers, gas stations are having problems with delivery. Then, motorists began hoarding gasoline last week, creating chaos.
According to British Economy Minister Kwasi Quarting, 150 British soldiers will be heading to gas stations with tankers to refill the pumps. Quarting described the situation in recent days as “difficult”, but he expects it to stabilize. Prime Minister Boris Johnson also wanted to reduce panic among Britons. On Tuesday, he said fuel supplies would return to normal. He also asked the British not to stockpile gasoline.
Kwarteng also announced that later in the day a “reserve fleet” of state tankers will also be deployed to help with the shortage. Then it is led by civilians.
Riots
The biggest shortages of petrol and diesel are in London, the South East and some other English cities. According to the Petroleum Retailers Association (PRA), which represents about 5,500 gas stations, more than a third of its members were without fuel. Riots have already broken out among motorists queuing at stations. Some people even use water bottles to put gasoline in.
Transporters, gas stations and retailers say there are no quick fixes because the driver shortage is so serious. Additionally, fuel transportation requires training and permits. Drivers in Europe are also not enthusiastic about arriving in the UK because the 5,000 temporary visas being issued are only valid until December 24.
