BP has closed several of its petrol stations in the UK due to the ongoing HGV driver shortage, reports suggest.
The oil giant told ITV News that “a handful” sites have been hit by petrol and diesel supply problems – but other reports suggest at least 50 of BP’s network of 1,200 service stations are understood to be missing at least one grade of fuel – and it plans to limit deliveries to stations across the UK to stop supplies running out.
The planned restrictions will mean running 80% of services levels to 90% of BP’s forecourt network and that most locations will not be restocked for one-and-a-half days a week. However, petrol stations on motorways will be prioritised and restocked as normal.
It comes a week after BP told the government that its ability to transport fuel from refineries to its network of forecourts was faltering. BP’s head of UK retail, Hanna Hofer, said it was important the government understood the “urgency of the situation”, which she described as “bad, very bad”.
Hofer added that the petrol giant was down to two thirds of “normal forecourt stock levels” needed to ensure “smooth operations.” She said that this level of stock is “declining rapidly”.
