ARMY tanker drivers have been put on standby in preparation to deliver fuel in order to ease the chaos at petrol stations, the Government has announced in the face of mounting pressure.

Military drivers will get specialised training in preparation for their deployment while certain HGV licences will be extended to help tackle the issue, ministers announced on Monday.

An extension to ADR driver licences permitting drivers to maximise their available capacity instead of being taken out of circulation for refresher training purposes was also announced.

The move comes after many filling stations ran dry after drivers made a dash for the pumps amid fears a shortage of tanker drivers would hit supplies.

In Somerset, dozens of petrol stations - particularly in the Taunton area - have run out of fuel, while others have limited the amount available to purchase.

Somerset County Gazette:

Here is a list of what we found when we contacted petrol stations yesterday (September 27):

  • Texaco, New Wellington Road, Taunton: NO FUEL - expecting delivery today (Tuesday)
  • Esso, New Wellington Road, Taunton: NO FUEL - hoping for delivery later this week
  • Texaco, Greenway Road, Taunton - NO FUEL - expecting delivery on Wednesday but it could be later
  • BP, Cross Keys, Taunton - NO FUEL
  • Morrisons, Priory Bridge Road, Taunton - HAS FUEL
  • Esso, East Reach, Taunton - NO FUEL - was expecting delivery on Tuesday night
  • Sainsbury's, Hankridge, Taunton - HAS FUEL
  • Esso, St John's Garage, Longforth Road, Wellington - NO FUEL - was expecting delivery overnight
  • BP, Mantle Street, Wellington - HAS FUEL
  • Londis/BP, Blackbrook Business Park, Taunton - NO FUEL
  • Taunton Road Garage, Curry Rivel - appears to have ONLY UNLEADED

Have you got any updates on the situation? CLICK HERE to email us

You can also CLICK HERE for a full list of 24-hour garages in Somerset