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Fuel Shortages Ease Off In London: UK Retailers

By Donna Ahern
Fuel Shortages Ease Off In London: UK Retailers

Gasoline and diesel shortages have eased in London and southeast England and the situation in the rest of Britain has improved further, according to an industry group representing independent fuel vendors.

The Petrol Retailers Association said 15% of forecourts in and around the capital were dry, down from 22% on Sunday, but 21% still had only one grade of fuel.

Military Tanker Drivers

Britain deployed military tanker drivers on Monday to help deliver fuel after a chaotic week of panic-buying.

"Whilst there has been a significant reduction in dry sites, these areas are still lagging behind in having both grades of fuel available compared to the rest of the UK," said Gordon Balmer, the PRA's executive director.

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Across the rest of the country, 86% of sites reported having both grades of fuel while 3% had only one grade and 11% were dry, the PRA said.

Worst Of Fuel Shortages

It was widely reported on the 29 September, that Industry groups said the worst of the fuel shortages seemed to be in London, the southeast and other English cities. Fights have broken out at some forecourts as drivers jostled for fuel and pictures on social media showed some people filling up old water bottles with fuel.

The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), which represents independent fuel retailers who account for about two-thirds of all the 8,380 UK forecourts, said on Tuesday 37% of its members' gas stations were out of fuel.

The shortages have added to an air of chaos in the world's fifth-largest economy after a dearth of truck drivers throughout the economy left gaps on supermarket shelves, while a spike in European wholesale natural gas prices has tipped energy companies into bankruptcy.

News by Reuters edited by Donna Ahern, Checkout. For more supply chain stories click here. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.

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