Thousands of UK gas stations run dry, as motorists rush to refuel amid a supply disruption due to a shortage of truck drivers

LONDON (AP) – Thousands of UK gas stations ran dry on Sunday, an industry group said, as motorists rushed to refuel amid a supply disruption due to a shortage of drivers from truck.

The Petrol Retailers Association, which represents nearly 5,500 independent outlets, said about two-thirds of its members say they have run out of fuel, the rest being “partly dry and soon depleted.”

Association president Brian Madderson said the shortages were the result of “outright panic buying.”

“There is a lot of fuel in this country, but it is not in the right place for motorists,” he told the BBC. “He’s still in the terminals and the refineries. “

Long lines of vehicles formed at many gas stations over the weekend and anger collapsed as some drivers waited for hours. Police were called to a London gas station on Sunday after a scuffle broke out. Police said a man was arrested for assault.

The road transport industry says the UK is short of tens of thousands of truckers, due to a perfect storm of factors including the coronavirus pandemic, an aging workforce and an exodus of foreign workers after Britain’s departure from the European Union last year.

Several countries, including the United States and Germany, are also experiencing a shortage of truck drivers. The problem has been particularly visible in Britain, where it has helped clear supermarket shelves and shut down gas pumps.

After weeks of mounting pressure, Britain’s Conservative government on Saturday announced it would issue thousands of emergency visas to foreign truck drivers to help prevent a Christmas without turkeys and toys for many British families. The government said it would issue 5,000 three-month visas for truck drivers from October, and another 5,500 for poultry workers.

Industry groups hailed the new visa plan, although the British Retail Consortium said it was “too little, too late”.

Ruby McGregor-Smith, president of the Confederation of British Industry, said the announcement was “the equivalent of throwing a dice of water on a bonfire”.

A member of staff directs drivers through a queue for fuel at a closed Sainsbury’s gas station in south London on Sunday, September 26, 2021. In a U-turn, Britain announced that it would issue thousands of emergency visas to foreign truck drivers to help them solve supply chain issues that have caused empty supermarket shelves, long lines at gas stations and closed gas pumps . (Dominic Lipinski / PA via AP)

Motorists line up to fill up their cars at a Sainsbury’s petrol station in Ashford, England on Saturday, September 25, 2021. The UK government is expected to ease visa rules for truck drivers to address fuel chain issues supply that set off long queues at gas stations and a few flap pumps. The government says it is “considering temporary measures to avoid any immediate problems.” The road transport industry says the UK is short of tens of thousands of truckers, due to a perfect storm of factors including the coronavirus pandemic, an aging workforce and an exodus of workers from the European Union after the departure of Great Britain from the bloc. (Gareth Fuller / PA via AP)

A man transports containers to a petrol station in Bracknell, England on Saturday, September 25, 2021. The road transport industry says the UK is short of tens of thousands of truckers, due to a perfect storm of factors, including the coronavirus pandemic, an aging workforce and an exodus of workers from the European Union following Britain’s departure from the bloc. BP and Esso closed a handful of their gas stations this week, and motorists formed long lines as they tried to refuel in the event of further disruption. (Steve Parsons / PA via AP)