Fuel fears grow as UK outlines who would get priority if rationing introduced

Concerns have been raised following rising tensions in the Middle East and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route. Ministers have not ruled out the possibility of fuel rationing if shortages become severe.

Under the Government’s National Emergency Plan for Fuel, priority would be given to essential services first. Emergency services and critical response vehicles would be at the front of the queue, followed by utility providers such as gas, electricity and water companies.

Public transport, including buses and rail services, would then be prioritised, alongside commercial vehicles such as food delivery lorries and health-related transport.

If shortages continued, restrictions could be introduced for the general public, including limits on how much fuel drivers can buy and reduced opening hours at petrol stations.

A Government spokesperson stressed that these measures would only be used in the event of a “severe national fuel supply disruption”.

But there has also been an attempt to reassure the public.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said there is currently no immediate need for petrol rationing, despite ministers monitoring the escalating Middle East situation “hour by hour” amid concerns over potential fuel and food shortages.

The plans come as drivers are already feeling the impact at the pumps.

According to the RAC, fuel prices have surged in recent weeks — with petrol now averaging 144.51p per litre and diesel 166.24p.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams warned the situation is worsening rapidly.

He said: “Since the conflict began, average petrol prices are now almost 12p higher, while diesel is up by twice that amount.

“The cost of filling a typical family car with unleaded is now £79.48 — £6.40 more than at the start of March — while diesel has risen by a hefty £13 to £91.43.

“The oil price has been consistently above the $100 a barrel mark, so unfortunately further rises look all but inevitable this week.

“The average price of a litre of unleaded is likely to reach 150p, and diesel possibly 180p by Easter.

“With many people heavily dependent on the car, the pressure on household budgets is beginning to intensify.”

Llanelli firm already feeling the pain

The impact is already being felt locally.

As previously reported by Swansea Bay News, Llanelli-based haulage giant Owens Group has seen its fuel bill soar by around £64,000 a week as diesel prices spike.

Bosses say costs have jumped by roughly 30% almost overnight, with the company — which runs around 600 vehicles — now forced to buy fuel day-by-day instead of securing prices in advance.

Industry leaders have warned the knock-on effect is inevitable, with rising transport costs expected to push up the price of everyday goods.

As one haulage representative put it: “Everything we buy is moved by road at some point.”

Pressure building

Despite the concerns, Government sources say the UK’s fuel supply remains “resilient”, with petrol stations currently well stocked and imports continuing as normal.

Ministers say they are monitoring the situation closely, but have not confirmed whether rationing measures will be needed.

But with prices climbing, businesses under pressure and contingency plans already in place, fears are growing that the situation could tighten further in the weeks ahead.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Fuel crisis hits Llanelli haulier hard
A local logistics firm warns soaring fuel costs are piling pressure on businesses and shoppers.

Heating crisis hitting Carmarthenshire families
Households reliant on oil say they’re being pushed to breaking point as prices surge.

Asda to display daily fuel prices online
The supermarket becomes the first to publish pump prices in a bid for greater transparency.

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Plans for new M4 service station submitted to Bridgend planners

The development would be just to the south of the junction 37 interchange, alongside the A4229.

The proposed drive-through restaurants could include a McDonald’s, Greggs and a Starbucks or Costa, along with seating areas and toilet facilities. These would be in three separate buildings rather than the more integrated services stations seen on other parts of the motorway network.

The development would be accessed by a new road off the A4229.

With regards the proposed new petrol station, planning documents say that “notwithstanding government policy to phase out the sale of new petrol/diesel cars by 2030, there will continue to be demand, albeit reducing, for petrol/diesel sales for a further 15 years or so after that.”

“To cater for future changes, the PFS will have a large number of electric charging stations from the outset, and there is currently a significant under-provision off these along this stretch of the M4.

“The operator also envisages increasing the number of charging points as electric cars become more popular, and in turn reducing the number of petrol pumps, in line with the take up of electric private vehicles by the public.

“Depending on future developments in HGV propulsion, provision for hydrogen tanks to replace diesel in the medium to long term is also feasible.”

Draycott Group, who are behind the plans, recently completed a similar development in St Clears off the A40 trunk road between Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

The St Clears development was initially refused by Carmarthenshire planners, but granted on appeal by Welsh Government planning inspectors.

Initial pre-application discussions with Bridgend County Borough Council on the proposed Pyle development were “negative” according to the latest submission, but the developer pointed out that all of the same arguments that the planning inspector gave for approving the St Clears scheme would also apply to Pyle.

The developers say they are willing to construct a car-sharing or park and ride facility at Junction 37 if the council is willing to run it.

Planning documents say: “During the course of the previous discussions, the developer, in response to comments as to J37 being a car-sharing location, indicated a preparedness to include land either as a car-sharing facility or P&R.

“Moreover, the developer would be prepared to fund/develop such a facility, on the basis that it would then be leased to the Council to operate. It is understood that the proposed P&R facility at Pyle has failed to attract funding, although it remains an objective for the Council.

“Should the Council not be interested in promoting such a facility at this site, or does not feel that it could be successfully operated, then the developer would not propose pursuing the matter alone.”

The proposals will now be decided by Bridgend County Borough Council’s planning department.

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