BP has been forced to close some petrol stations and will restrict deliveries of petrol and diesel due to the ongoing shortage of HGV drivers.
The oil giant is understood to have informed the government that its ability to transport fuel from its refineries is being heavily impacted by the supply chain crisis.
It comes after BP’s Head of UK Retail, Hanna Hofer, told the Cabinet Office last Thursday that it was important that the government understood the ‘urgency of the situation’ which she branded ‘bad, very bad’.
Ms Hofer warned that the company had ‘two thirds of normal forecourt stock levels required for smooth operations’ and that levels were ‘declining rapidly’.
The restricting of deliveries is expected to begin ‘very soon’.
A BP spokesperson said: ‘We are experiencing some fuel supply issues at some of our retail sites in the UK and unfortunately have therefore seen a handful of sites temporarily close due to a lack of both unleaded and diesel grades.
‘These have been caused by some delays in the supply chain which has been impacted by the industry-wide driver shortages across the UK and there are many actions being taken to address the issue.
‘We continue to work with our haulier supplier to minimise any future disruption and to ensure efficient and effective deliveries to serve our customers.
BP’s Head of UK Retail, Hanna Hofer, told the Cabinet Office last Thursday that it was important that the government understood the ‘urgency of the situation’ which she labelled ‘bad, very bad’
‘We apologise for any inconvenience caused.’
The planned restrictions will mean running 80% of services levels to 90% of BP’s forecourt network and that most locations, as a result, will not be restocked for one-and-a-half days a week.
However petrol stations on motorways will be prioritised and restocked as normal.
Like hundreds of firms across the country, BP is struggling amid the shortage of truck drivers.
The company outsources drivers through haulier firm Hoyer, and while it has 45 drivers coming through training, it is struggling to keep hold of them.
In the week beginning September 6, for example, 10 drivers joined and six left.
While BP hopes stocks will stabilise at some point in October, Ms Hofer warned: ‘We are are expecting the next few weeks to be really, really difficult’.
It is now calling on the government to make it easier to recruit drivers from abroad.
Minister for small business, Paul Scully told ITV News: ‘We are concerned about BP and other sectors where we are hearing those stresses coming to bear.
‘This is why we are having regular conversations to see what government can do to increase testing, to increase the supply of drivers and bring drivers back.
‘We also want to see what the industry/ sector can do for themselves.’
Source: Daily Mail
