Petrol supply crisis

[clv101]

I'm dreading the headlines next week of a young family being killed by an HGV mounting the curb after the 75 year old (recently out of retirement) driver fell asleep at the wheel after three consecutive 10 hour shifts...

Looking at the bigger picture, what we're seeing is the result of our lack of resilience. Our just-in-time efficiency, the system is stretched so thin, lean, at the best of times that any external shocks (and there have been a few) can cause the system to snap.

[kenneal - lagger]

I agree with you completely there, Chris. It's showing up as a problem in Europe and the US as well and could be a symptom of economic breakdown.

[PS_RalphW]

Bbc is reporting that the government will issue short term (6 mont?) visas for lorry drivers to come to the UK. Not sure from where.

[UndercoverElephant]

What is most shocking for me is the apparently total inability of those in power to antipicate the problem and do something to solve it before things deteriorated to this situation. None of the causes are mysterious or unpredictable, and there are things that could have been done. HGV driving tests could have continued through lockdown, for example. And if the powers that be can't even anticipate and solve relatively straightforward problems like this, why would anybody believe they will do any better regarding all of the much trickier problems that are heading our way?

[UndercoverElephant]

Bbc is reporting that the government will issue short term (6 mont?) visas for lorry drivers to come to the UK. Not sure from where.

From the EU, which has a severe lorry driver shortage, of course. This isn't going to make much difference. Might slow down the rate things get worse.

[BritDownUnder]

What is most shocking for me is the apparently total inability of those in power to antipicate the problem and do something to solve it before things deteriorated to this situation. None of the causes are mysterious or unpredictable, and there are things that could have been done. HGV driving tests could have continued through lockdown, for example. And if the powers that be can't even anticipate and solve relatively straightforward problems like this, why would anybody believe they will do any better regarding all of the much trickier problems that are heading our way?

Probably the civil service I would guess. Maybe more interested in their index linked final salary pension schemes than planning for the future.
Those details about the lack of parking for trucks in towns and cities were new to me although I do recall being woken up by a truck being warmed up at 5am every weekday morning at one place I lived in in Australia.

Looks like the government solution to a driver shortage caused by an influx of cheaper drivers from overseas is ... to allow another influx of cheaper overseas drivers. Pathetic in so many ways.

[clv101]

What is most shocking for me is the apparently total inability of those in power to antipicate the problem and do something to solve it before things deteriorated to this situation. None of the causes are mysterious or unpredictable, and there are things that could have been done. HGV driving tests could have continued through lockdown, for example. And if the powers that be can't even anticipate and solve relatively straightforward problems like this, why would anybody believe they will do any better regarding all of the much trickier problems that are heading our way?

They are both incompetent and their objectives aren't as straight forward as the smooth running of the country. Those in power have strong ideology which coupled with their general incompetence limits the options they feel are available to them.

[mikepepler]

I agree with you completely there, Chris. It's showing up as a problem in Europe and the US as well and could be a symptom of economic breakdown.

It feels to me like there's a lot of stuff fraying at the edges now. Shortages of various materials and components across the world, gas issues across Europe/UK, driver shortages. And then there's the crazy weather from climate impacts. And while covid seems to be largely ignored in the UK now, quite a few countries round the world are still being hit hard and are having lockdowns. Some difficult times ahead I think.

[Mark]

Thought fracking was dead?

Wonder if this situation with gas supply and the artificial petrol/diesel issue will be used to gain public support for a relaunch? https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/arti ... -mine.html

All the right wing press are busy sticking the boot into renewable energy....

Rod Liddle (The Sun) - Windfarms only give a fraction of the power we need:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/16216536/ ... ear-power/

[UndercoverElephant]

Looks like the government solution to a driver shortage caused by an influx of cheaper drivers from overseas is ... to allow another influx of cheaper overseas drivers. Pathetic in so many ways.

The EU also has a driver shortage. Poland has even more vacancies than the UK does.

[UndercoverElephant]

It feels to me like there's a lot of stuff fraying at the edges now.

Yes. Signs of systemic breakdown, which once would have each been shocking in its own right, are becoming everyday occurences. What is it going to be next week? Could be almost anything.

[Mark]

Here in the Greek islands observed a heated exchange over a propane gas purchase. Asked if the argument was about the availability of the gas? No , it was the price which has doubled in a very short time.

Hopefully observing this exchange didn't spoil your foreign holiday too much.... ?

Don't worry, this is still only the early stages of collapse....
My guess is that you've got a few years yet until the baying mob finds that amply stocked wine cellar of yours....

[Mark]

While the problems are perfectly solvable in principle, most of the available solutions aren't quick. I mean...Tesco could let the drivers using their facilities, but it isn't so easy for the government to force Tesco to do so. They'd need to pass legislation to make it happen. But this situation needs a solution quickly, or it could escalate quite seriously.

If Tesco do stop drivers using their facilities, this could be considered a breach of H&S legislation, as employers are obliged to make suitable and sufficient welfare facilities available. If the Trade Unions are worth their salt, they should take out a Test Case. There is no need for more legislation.

Just been to my local Tesco - no queue and unleaded priced normally
The Daily Wail is reporting that despite all the panic buying, only 1% of petrol stations are empty:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... -brim.html

Just shows how easily the general population can be spooked....
I guess it also shows that there's some level of understanding of resource scarcity...?

[adam2]

I suspect that "tesco" HGV truck drivers are not in fact employed by the supermarket chain, who could probably argue that they are not required to provide any welfare facilities for employees of another company.

[Mark]

I suspect that "tesco" HGV truck drivers are not in fact employed by the supermarket chain, who could probably argue that they are not required to provide any welfare facilities for employees of another company.

https://www.tesco-careers.com/hgv-drivers/