UK truck driver shortage hits BP service stations

A shortage of qualified truck drivers has disrupted fuel supply to some of BP's retail service stations in the UK in recent days, forcing the firm to temporarily close a "handful of sites".

"Our supply chain has been impacted primarily by the industry-wide driver shortages across the UK," BP said. "The situation was exacerbated last week by the temporary closure for a number of days of our Hemel Hempstead fuel distribution terminal due to necessary Covid-19 isolations amongst staff there."

The distribution terminal is now operating as normal, and the majority of the supply issues are being "resolved within a day", the company said, adding that it is working with its haulier supplier to minimise any disruption to customers.

BP has around 1,200 service stations in the UK.

By Bea O'Kelly