PETROL suppliers are still struggling to get fuel to London and the South East, retailers have said.

The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has said that the issues with fuel in Scotland, Wales, the Midlands and the North of England are "virtually at an end."

However, it is hoped that the Army driving tankers will help increase fuel deliveries.

Brian Madderson, chairman of the PRA, said: "The fuel is still not going to the pumps that need it the most in London and the South East."

Yesterday morning, 22 per cent of filling stations in the UK's most populated areas were empty, while only 60 per cent had diesel and unleaded petrol available.

This is compared to six per cent of stations being dry in the Midlands, northern England and Scotland.

Mr Madderson said: "We are disappointed that no concerted action is being taken to address supply problems in the south."

Military personnel are now available for hauliers to use, with 65 drivers being readied.

There are also plans for 200 members of the army to be deployed in total, which includes 100 drivers.

The Argus: Brighton UK 24th September 2021 - Long queues for fuel at a BP petrol station along Hove seafront , Brighton this morning . A shortage of truck drivers delivering fuel throughout the UK has caused the problem this week : Credit Simon Dack / Alamy LiveBrighton UK 24th September 2021 - Long queues for fuel at a BP petrol station along Hove seafront , Brighton this morning . A shortage of truck drivers delivering fuel throughout the UK has caused the problem this week : Credit Simon Dack / Alamy Live

A government spokesman said: "Stocks in London and the south of England have been recovering at slightly slower rates than other parts of the country, so we have begun deploying military personal to boost supply in these areas.

"More than half of those who have completed training to make fuel deliveries are being deployed to terminals serving London and the South East of England."

However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has not ruled out supply chain issues continuing until Christmas.

Johnson has said that the UK economy was going through a "period of adjustment" and that to get more heavy goods vehicle drivers was to make them "decently paid."

He said: "We have got to make sure people come on stream as fast as we practically can."

The crisis began after reports that a shortage of tanker drivers had led to a number of BP stations closing. This news then triggered a wave of panic buying from the public.

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