The decision on mobilization of armed forces follows the widespread shortage of truck drivers that has caused serious supply problems for retailers and restaurants in recent months, resulting in significant quantities of fuel not reaching filling stations.
A warning about fuel shortages at the end of the year last week led to panic buying, with long lines of cars waiting for hours to get fuel, resulting in fuel shortages at filling stations in cities across Britain.
The British government had already announced plans to issuing temporary visas for 5,000 foreign truck drivers, suspending the application of competition laws and encouraging former drivers to return to the profession, as part of measures to address the shortage of drivers.
Military tanker drivers join the «battle»
London has announced that it will now place a limited number of military tanker drivers on standby to be deployed if necessary.
«Although the fuel industry expects demand to return to normal levels in the coming days, it is right to take this necessary precautionary measure,» said Minister of Entrepreneurship Kwasi Kwarteg in a statement late Monday evening.
«If necessary, the deployment of military personnel will provide the supply chain with additional fuel transport capacity as a temporary measure to help ease the pressure caused by spikes in local fuel demand.».
Army tanker drivers will receive special training prior to deployment so that they can adapt to dealing with supply chain issues, the government announced.
The fuel industry announces that there is no fuel shortage and that the issue relates to the transport of gasoline and diesel to retail outlets.
«As many cars now have more fuel than their usual fill-up level, we expect this demand to return to normal levels in the coming days, easing pressure on fuel sales points at gas stations. We encourage everyone to buy fuel as they normally would,» said a joint statement from the fuel companies.
