Worsening fuel shortages threaten half-term holidays
Just days before UK schools break up for half-term, families are being warned of the risk of being stranded in France due to worsening fuel shortages.
The AA told the BBC it had already had to rescue UK drivers who had run out of fuel as more than a fifth of the country’s 12,500 petrol stations are completely dry or have run out of some types of fuel.
AA president Edmund King told the broadcaster: "Our breakdown services in Europe have been taking calls from UK drivers this morning who have run out of fuel.
"We are recovering vehicles stuck at the side of~the road to places of safety until fuel supplies are resumed."
However, it is uncertain how long the fuel shortages will last as unions have blockaded seven out of eight of France’s oil refineries in protest over the government’s proposed labour reforms.
The country has enough emergency supplies to keep petrol stations open for up to two months, according to the Telegraph, but news of fuel shortages has already led to panic buying, and fuel rationing has been imposed in some parts of France, it said.
The UK Foreign Office said: "Following industrial action, blockades of fuel depots, fuel purchasing restrictions have been put in place by local authorities in some parts of France.
"In certain areas you may not be able to fill up jerrycans, and fuel rationing may be imposed; some petrol stations may have run out of some types of fuel."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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