Fuel industry and government renew calls for people not to panic-buy, as RAC reports petrol prices have risen
- Latest: Fuel suppliers predicts normal demand ‘in coming days’
- RAC: Petrol prices rose over weekend…and more motorists ran out
- Public should buy petrol as normal, says environment secretary
- Eustice: Some with a ‘tendency to be anxious’ will have filled up
- ‘No plans at the moment’ to use army to drive fuel tankers
- London mayor: reserve some petrol stations for key workers
Earlier:
- Union: EU workers won’t help UK out of mess
- Industry hopes petrol situation will improve by end of the week
- Competition law suspended to help fuel firms work together
- Boris Johnson to consider using army to supply petrol stations
Our political correspondent Aubrey Allegretti has the latest on the UK government’s plans:
After senior ministers met today to discuss activating Operation Escalin, agreement was they will ask Army to prepare for getting hundreds of soldiers driving fuel tankers – in the event govt decides they’re needed.
Demand hasn’t returned to normal yet, though, with many reports of delays and congestion this afternoon caused by petrol station queues:
#A23 long delays through #Fiveways Corner in #Croydon with the queues towards petrol stations between the #Lombard Roundabout and #Purley Way playing fields pic.twitter.com/pg0HgD0kDj
There have been delays all day heading east out of London on the #A13 towards the petrol station after Gascoigne Way – queues from the #Canning Town Flyover and on the #A406 from before the #Barking Flyover pic.twitter.com/47M2uZBQkF
A2 New Cross Road (SE14) (All Directions) at the junction of Jerningham Road – There is heavy congestion due to people trying to get to petrol stations. Expect delays #LondonTraffic https://t.co/R9l5uN4Cie pic.twitter.com/p66ZNu5Kku
⚠️635 information⚠️
Due to the traffic delays caused by cars queueing at petrol stations, with immediate effect this service will terminate and commence from Watford Junction Railway Station. We apologise for any inconvenience. pic.twitter.com/wdnFsF13mT
Looks like they had a delivery. Screwed up the traffic in three directions pic.twitter.com/C8Pppv2U2M
