A LACK of delivery drivers and unprecedented demand has sparked a nationwide fuel crisis.
Panic-buyers have forced a number of petrol stations to place limits on pumps and some forecourts have closed completely.
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When will the petrol crisis end?
There is not a petrol shortage but the problem is said to have been caused by the shortage of drivers transporting the fuel from terminals to forecourts.
While there are chronic problems around the country with people panic-buying petrol, it doesn’t seem that the issue will be solved any time soon.
Shortages and supply issues could remain for months, especially in the lead up to Christmas as it is the peak period of demand for hauliers, experts warn.
However, The Times reports that the immediate crisis of queues and closed forecourts could cease after roughly a week.
And BP agreed, saying it is hopeful fuel stocks at forecourts will stabilise shortly and start to rebuild at some point in October.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has agreed to temporarily loosen immigration rules so foreign HGV drivers can work in Britain to help with the crisis.
But No10 has warned any measures introduced would be “very strictly time-limited”.
Ministers have also drawn up emergency plans to bring soldiers in to drive tankers to forecourts suffering supply issues.
But it could take up to three weeks for soldiers to be fully mobilised, with the first on the roads within a week.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has urged drivers not to panic buy and told drivers to “carry on as normal”.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “We have ample fuel stocks in this country and the public should be reassured there are no shortages.
“But like countries around the world we are suffering from a temporary Covid-related shortage of drivers needed to move supplies around the country.
“We’re looking at temporary measures to avoid any immediate problems, but any measures we introduce will be very strictly time-limited.
“We are moving to a high-wage, high-skilled economy and businesses will need to adapt with more investment in recruitment and training to provide long-term resilience.”
In the meantime, the crisis has continued to wreck havoc across the country.
Schools have warned that they may have to close as staff struggle to get to work, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned about key workers not being able to fuel up.
? Read our petrol crisis live blog for live updates on the crisis
Is there a limit on amount of petrol I can buy?
Hundreds of petrol stations have imposed a £30 fuel cap per driver to ensure everyone has a “fair chance to refuel”.
The EG Group, which has 341 petrol stations in the UK, confirmed the emergency services and lorry drivers would not be affected.
A spokesperson said: “Due to the current unprecedented customer demand for fuel and associated supply challenges we have taken the decision to introduce a limit of £30 per customer on all of our grades of fuel.
“This excludes HGV drivers and emergency services due to their vital role at this time.
“This is a company decision to ensure all our customers have a fair chance to refuel and to enable our sites to carry on running smoothly.
“We kindly ask everyone visiting our sites to treat our colleagues, supply chain partners and customers with respect during these very challenging times.
“All of EG Group’s UK sites remain open and operational to serve customers.”
Up to 100 BP petrol stations have been affected by the loss of fuel with around 20 of the company’s 1,200 forecourts closed.
BP said it was cutting deliveries at 90% of its petrol stations in an effort to ration the fuel it has in reserve.
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) warned that up to 90% of pumps were dry in some areas of the country.
It also warned that drivers should keep a quarter of a tank of fuel in their car in case their normal station ran out.
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Where can I buy petrol today?
Despite some petrol stations being forced to turn pumps off and others erecting signs saying they have run out completely, most places should have steady supplies.
And those that are closed are only shut temporarily, with new deliveries being made every day.
For your best chance of filling your tank, it is a good idea to check your local station and social media for updates.
It is also worth checking individual opening times, as these vary across the country.
Forecourts which are open 24 hours, like those at major supermarkets, garages and motorway service stations, are likely to have the most plentiful supplies.
But remember that if your local petrol station is out of fuel, it may be restocked tomorrow, or you might need to drive slightly further afield to fill your tank today.
There are also ways you can conserve your own fuel to “ride-out” the crisis before you need to head to a fuel station yourself.
What has happened so far?
Brawl breaks out at petrol station forecourt as tension flare over fuel shortage fears
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