Map shows areas worst hit by UK fuel crisis as panic buying continues

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A ‘traffic light’ system has been set up to monitor the problem in different parts of the country (Photo: PA)

Britain is still in the grip of a fuel crunch, with garage gasoline still running out faster than it can be replenished.

Boris Johnson has indicated that the situation is “stabilizing”, but the government has been accused of “shining a light on” the country about the seriousness of the problem.

London, the Southeast, the Northwest, the West Midlands and the East Midlands all have fuel levels below 20%, according to Whitehall’s own analysis.

These areas are designated “red” under a new traffic light system set up to monitor the crisis.

However, supplies are improving in the North East, Yorkshire and Wales, which have been moved from red to amber.

Scotland is going from amber to green, and Northern Ireland is already there, according to The Times.

London, the South, the Midlands and the North West were the hardest hit (Photo: PA/Metro.co.uk) Fuel is being delivered at Esso petrol station in Reading, but many stations are being cleared faster than they were. Refillable (Photo: REX/Shutterstock)

The Gasoline Retailers Association (PRA) has suggested that de-escalation in recent days appears to have stalled, with 27% of stations drying up yesterday – the same as the day before.

CEO Gordon Palmer said: “PRA members have reported that while they continue to receive more fuel deliveries, this is running out faster than usual due to unprecedented demand.”

The property management agency said it surveyed 1,200 garages across the UK yesterday and found that only 52% of sites reported having stocks of petrol and diesel. Meanwhile, 21% had only one choice, 27% were completely dry.

Drivers had to go out late at night and in the morning to get fuel. Portsmouth resident Joe Wells tweeted: “Telling you there was gas when you were at five gas stations and they didn’t have any, it literally means gaslighting.”

The government says the situation is ‘stable’, but panic buying continues (Photo: PA/SOPA)

Kim Sunley, Londoner added: “Disappeared bulls *** to say the fuel crisis is over if my bus ride in North East London is anything to go by. One stop closed, two stranded with waiting lists. Government gas lighting.”

Mr Palmer said: “PRA members are reporting that while they continue to deliver more fuel, this is running out faster than usual due to unprecedented demand.

We urge drivers to maintain their buying habits and refuel only when needed to ensure there is plenty of fuel to go around.

“It is important to remember that fuel stocks are still normal at refineries and stations, and deliveries have only been reduced due to the shortage of heavy truck drivers.”

More: Boris Johnson

Treasury Secretary Simon Clark told Sky News: “We are in a situation now where more fuel is being delivered to petrol stations than is being sold, so the crisis is now back under control.

“This is something that will continue to decline if people go back to their normal buying habits.”

AA President Edmund King said: “Most drivers managed to find fuel, but may have had to travel to several filling stations or queue.

“A large percentage of drivers have changed their refueling habits in the past five days, and this should now allow front yards to refuel and find their feet again.”

Figures show that 27% of UK gas stations were completely dry yesterday (Image: AP) People were filling up fuel cans with petrol as well as their cars (Image: Reuters) More: UK

Ministers have already begun deploying the government’s reserve tanker fleet – led by civilian drivers – to support the resupply of file stations.

Business Minister Kwasi Kwarting said military drivers – who have been on standby since Monday – should also start showing up on the roads in the coming days.

The government has rejected calls from the retail and hospitality sectors to loosen immigration rules in the lead-up to Christmas to ensure services are maintained.

It provided 10,500 temporary visas for foreign truck drivers and agricultural workers – expiring on Christmas Eve.

But Polish truck driver Tomas Orensky said the government couldn’t treat migrants like “the taps you can turn on and off”.

If ministers want to attract foreign workers, he said, they should offer better salaries and conditions, such as assistance with accommodation or long-term visas.

Many foreign drivers say they are not interested in dropping everything to come for just three months, claiming that the facilities for truck drivers in continental Europe are much better.

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