Soldiers to drive tankers as Britons queue up for fuel
The UK will deploy its reserve tanker fleet on Wednesday and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said Army drivers will be utilised within “days” as the government moves to ease shortages that triggered chaos at the nation’s gas stations.
The government’s reserve tanker fleet will be on the road this afternoon, driven by civilians, in order to boost deliveries, Kwarteng said on Twitter. Some 150 Army drivers were put on standby on Monday in case they’re needed — something the business secretary indicated may happen this week. “In the next couple of days, people will see some soldiers driving the tanker fleet,” Kwarteng told broadcasters on Wednesday.
The government is trying to get to grips with the fuel crisis after days of chaos as long lines of vehicles formed at the nation’s forecourts, blocking traffic and provoking fights. At the height of the disruption, more than half the country’s petrol stations had run dry on Sunday.
While ministers and fuel retailers say the situation is improving, drivers were still experiencing difficulties finding fuel, and long waits to purchase it.
While the steps announced by Kwarteng could ease the shortages, the announcement of emergency measures carries the risk of triggering further bouts of the panicbuying that ministers say have compounded the crisis. It’s also not clear how much impact they will have.
A government document from 2017 indicated that it had access to an 80-strong reserve tanker fleet, but the current crisis has been sparked by a shortage of drivers rather than vehicles.