It was a real black day for the transport crisis, accentuated by the energy crisis, which hit the United Kingdom, where thousands of people found themselves in queues at distributors and airports. Due to the persistent shortage of truckers, fuel stocks in the country have begun to decline and the giant BP has closed or reduced the supply of petrol and diesel in about 100 service stations. Others of the American group ExxonMobil have suffered the same fate, thus prompting motorists fearful of running out of water to form long lines at refueling points, particularly in London and in the south of England, one of the busiest areas in Great Britain.
The various assurances given by the Conservative government have not helped much to improve the situation. Transport Minister Grant Shapps intervened to appeal to motorists who rushed to fill their tanks, saying that there is “plenty of fuel.” At the same time he added, in an interview with the BBC, that the executive could engage Her Majesty’s army to drive the tankers if it helps. It is estimated that the Kingdom is short of about 100,000 heavy vehicle drivers, with the shortage aggravated by the pandemic and Brexit and which has already had important repercussions on large retailers and restaurants. Downing Street also had to intervene during the day, reiterating that there is no shortage of fuels, but in the meantime criticism was growing. Rod McKenzie, of the Road Haulage Association representing the haulage industry, accused the executive of “inaction” and proposed as a possible very short-term measure to offer “seasonal visas” for foreign truck drivers.
Meanwhile, thousands of passengers arriving at the Kingdom’s airports were delayed due to a technical problem at the “e-gates”, the self-service passport control gates. Among the most affected airports, Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh. A spokesperson for the interior ministry said the problem was quickly identified and resolved. But it comes after weeks of inconvenience and queues for passengers due to staff problems with the Border Force, the Home Office’s customs police. Also in this case there was no lack of criticism of the government for poor staff management.