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Greenwich Council has pleaded with residents not to panic buy petrol, amid concerns emergency vehicles could be delayed.
Lengthy queues have been pictured at petrol stations across south east London today, following reports of supply issues caused by a shortage of HGV drivers.
Some fuel retailers, including BP in Mottingham, have been forced to shut their pumps and ration sales.
A spokesperson for Greenwich Council said: “We are receiving reports that roads around Royal Greenwich are gridlocked as result of people panic buying petrol.
Traffic jam in Widmore Road at 8.45am.
When my camera wasn’t rolling I witnessed a Royal Mail van driving fast along the middle of the road. Also, I witnessed vehicles at the back of the queue turning around occasionally causing incoming cars to break.#Bromley #panicbuying pic.twitter.com/YVXqUZRNov
— Scarlett Fox 🦊 (@SweetLemonPot) September 25, 2021
“Please do not panic buy petrol.
“In blocking the roads we run the risk of emergency services including ambulance, police and fire being unable to respond at speed.
“The police are urging motorists to be ‘sensible’ and to only contact them in relation to criminal offences or large-scale disorder.”
The petrol problems follow growing concern over the impact the lack of HGV drivers is having on supermarket supplies, with fears Christmas shopping could be hindered without action.
Experts suggest the industry is short of about 90,000 drivers.
Downing Street sources is expected to temporarily lift visa restrictions for foreign drivers as a “short-term solution” to ease pressure on deliveries.
Edmund King, head of the AA, said the problem should pass in a matter of days if drivers just stick to filling up when they need it, adding “there is plenty of fuel at source”.
People have been spotted filling up jerry cans with petrol in pictures being circulated on social media.
Esso, BP and Tesco forecourts have been affected by challenges getting petrol deliveries.
BP said around 20 of its 1,200 petrol forecourts were closed due to a lack of available fuel, with between 50 and 100 sites affected by the loss of at least one grade of fuel.
A “small number” of Tesco refilling stations have also been impacted, said Esso owner ExxonMobil, which runs the sites.
On Friday, the EG Group, which has around 400 petrol stations in the UK, said it was imposing a £30 limit “due to the current unprecedented customer demand for fuel”.
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