The Chair of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has said petrol supply issues have improved in many areas, and that the army will begin helping with deliveries from today.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4 Today programme this morning, PRA Chair Brian Madderson suggested that there had been a distinct improvement over the last day in parts of the North, Scotland, some parts of Midlands, but that in London, South East, and some parts of East England, the situation had “got worse” adding: “It is really a big problem in London and the South East”.
Referencing the daily calls he has been taking with the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, Mr Madderson said that it was his understanding from Mr Shapps that military tanker drivers were to start delivering fuel to forecourts across the country today.
However a release from the Cabinet Office this morning said that the army would step in from Monday.
Almost 200 military personnel, 100 of whom are drivers, are currently undertaking training at haulier sites.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Thanks to the immense efforts of industry over the past week, we are seeing continued signs that the situation at the pumps is slowly improving. UK forecourt stock levels are trending up, deliveries of fuel to forecourts are above normal levels, and fuel demand is stabilising.
He went on: “It’s important to stress there is no national shortage of fuel in the UK, and people should continue to buy fuel as normal. The sooner we return to our normal buying habits, the sooner we can return to normal.”
