UK roads crippled by long queues
…as Govt. mulls issuing 5000 temporary visas
By Chukwudi Nwabuko in London
Petrol stations across the United Kingdom (UK) have been overwhelmed with customers queueing to fill up their tanks amid a shortage of HGV drivers. This comes as the government is considering easing Visa rules to attract truck drivers from Europe.
In Enfield and Tottenham for example roads have been crippled by long queues of vehicles as commuters had a hectic time moving while stranded on stationary buses.
Many have attributed the new development- a rarity in this part of the world -as the aftermath of Brexit which saw many Europeans living in the UK return to their countries following Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU).
Motorists have been queuing since the early hours trying to get petrol over concerns of a fuel shortage at UK’s filling stations.
For some days now, a dearth of HGV drivers had been affecting the country’s petrol supply, even as the increased demand occasioned by panic-buying by drivers has wreaked havoc across the country.
In some instances, companies have had to limit the amount of fuel sold to drivers while others have
closed stations entirely.
Traffic has been adversely affected by the rush for fuel with the attendant congestion across Britain’s roads.
In certain areas, some petrol stations are limiting fuel to £30 for customers in order that as many customers as possible could have access to fuel.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said there is no shortage of fuel and urged drivers to be ‘sensible’.
Meanwhile, as the shortage worsen, the UK government is considering easing visa rules to attract truck drivers from Europe.
According to the Road Haulage Association, Britain is short about 100,000 HGV drivers licensed to operate trucks or lorries.
The government say it is considering issuing as many as 5000 temporary visas for truckers to check the shortage, but the Road Haulage Association says that the number is a drop in the ocean.
