Severe restrictions could be implemented for drivers and forecourts if oil disruption continues, with the government’s emergency toolkit for fuel shortages recommending reduced speed limits, fuel rationing and limited forecourt hours be implemented.
A National Rail strategy document seen by Forecourt Trader analyses the government’s confidential National Emergency Plan for Fuel (NEP-F), and details that speed restrictions would “most likely take the form of a reduction in the motorway speed limit from 70 mph to 60 mph”.
Experts have warned that if the Strait of Hormuz – through which a fifth of the world’s oil is transported – remains closed for a further two to three weeks the situation will “get serious”, while the UK has just a month’s worth of diesel in reserve according to The Telegraph.
The National Rail document sets out that any fuel rationing would take place under a ’Maximum Purchase Scheme’ for citizens, while a ‘Priority User List’ would see individual forecourts classified as ’Designated Filling Stations’, with these sites only allowed to dispense fuel to emergency-service vehicles, plus vehicles used by local councils, rail companies, utilities firms, and the Health and Safety Executive.
Priority User List vehicles would sport special logos to identify them to Designated Filling Station Staff, while NEP-F also sets out that employers would be encouraged to ask staff to work from home, while car sharing and public transport would be encouraged.
Professor Nick Butler, former head of strategy for oil major BP, told The Telegraph the government should prepare for a “significant shortfall of supply over the next two months”, and that things will “get serious” if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for a further two or three weeks.
Former Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, meanwhile, told the paper: “The Strait of Hormuz carries a fifth of the world’s oil supply. If Iran closes it, the pumps run dry – fast. This government needs to get its emergency plan off the shelf, dust it down, and make sure it actually works.”
