Trained armed forces personnel with the capabilities to drive tankers have been put on standby for deployment in order to assist in dealing with the chaos relating to fuel supplies, the UK government has revealed.
With UK government ministers announcing that Army drivers will be receiving specialised training in advance of their potential deployment.
ADR driver licenses will be extended - meaning that drivers who are due to be taken out of circulation for refresher training purposes will no longer be required to.
READ MORE - Edinburgh's last surviving 1920s tenement on notorious block now stands alone
This comes after petrol stations across the UK went dry as drivers panic bought due to a fear over a shortage of tanker drivers led to fears that fuel would run out.
Defence secretary Ben Wallace said: “The men and women of our armed forces stand ready to alleviate the transport pressures where they are felt most.
“That is why I have authorised their increased preparedness so they are ready to respond if needed.”
UK business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, who issued the Military Aid to the Civil Authorities request, said: “While the fuel industry expects demand will return to its normal levels in the coming days, it’s right that we take this sensible, precautionary step.
“The UK continues to have strong supplies of fuel, however we are aware of supply chain issues at fuel station forecourts and are taking steps to ease these as a matter of priority.
“If required, the deployment of military personnel will provide the supply chain with additional capacity as a temporary measure to help ease pressures caused by spikes in localised demand for fuel.”
The Army tanker drivers will deliver fuel to where it is needed most and provide reassurance that supplies remain strong, the Government said.
