Affected Areas Still Struggle with Supply Amid Rising Petrol Prices

Petrol shortages continue to cause disruption across London and the Southeast, with 10% of stations in these regions out of fuel, according to the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA).

PRA chairman Brian Madderson highlighted the lack of consistency in fuel deliveries as a significant concern. Many forecourts remain uncertain about their next supplies, leading to a cycle of stations running out of fuel soon after restocking. The situation has been exacerbated by panic buying and a higher concentration of vehicles in these urban areas.

Recent government interventions, including deploying military drivers and relaxing competition laws, aim to stabilise supplies. However, the crisis has driven fuel prices to their highest levels since 2013, with petrol averaging 137.17p per litre and diesel at 140.66p.

The initial shortage arose after BP’s announcement on 23 September about temporary closures due to a lack of HGV drivers, sparking a surge in demand and public alarm. Efforts to mitigate the impact continue, but challenges remain acute in heavily trafficked regions like London.

Industry experts call for improved logistics and further measures to address delivery gaps to restore confidence and supply continuity.