UK island runs out of petrol as suppliers struggle to deliver fuel
Drivers on a UK island have been struggling to fill up their cars as a supplier problem sparks fears.
A fuel crisis hit people living on Scottish Islands over the weekend as petrol pumps ran dry. Stations in Uist, located in the Outer Hebrides, ran out of petrol, and the supplier blamed it on the bad weather affecting the deliveries.
Certas Energy was unable to replenish fuel pumps as their ship was unable to dock in Loch Carnan in South Uist, due to the poor weather conditions. Garages and petrol stations said that diesel was still available.
This caused concern for the residents on the island. Uisdean Robertson, the transportation and infrastructure chairman with islands authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said that district nursesand home carershad raised fears with the council about having enough fuel to travel.
• Are you worried about petrol prices spiralling during Iran war? Have your say
A spokesperson for Certas Energy said earlier this week: "Poor weather prevented our tanker from being able to discharge at Loch Carnan, and strong winds have also led to cancelled inter-island ferries and delays to fuel deliveries to Uist.
"We have arranged for an additional delivery of fuel to arrive in Uist today, working with our partners and suppliers to restore full operations as quickly as possible."
Robertson said two filling stations in North Uist ran out of petrol on Saturday and a larger station in Benbecula on Sunday, however it's believed diesel was not as badly affected, the Sunreports.
He said: "There has been a lot of concern expressed mainly by district nurses and home carers. They do a significant amount of mileage between Eriskay and Berneray," according to BBC.
He said fuel could have been taken south by road from Stornoway in Lewis and then across the Sound of Harris by ferry, or by boat from Skye, adding that ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne had "bent over backwards" to offer assistance.
On Tuesday a tanker carrying petrol supplies arrived in Uist, giving the residents relief. A spokesperson for Certas Energy said earlier this week: "Poor weather prevented our tanker from being able to discharge at Loch Carnan, and strong winds have also led to cancelled inter-island ferries and delays to fuel deliveries to Uist.
"We have arranged for an additional delivery of fuel to arrive in Uist today, working with our partners and suppliers to restore full operations as quickly as possible."
It comes after petrol and diesel prices have soared since the start of the Middle East conflict, across the UK. The latest data from the RAC shows diesel prices have soared by an average of 18p per litre since the crisis began, while petrol prices have risen by almost 9p per litre.
The RAC said the average price of the fuel at UK forecourts on Sunday was 160.3p per litre, compared to 142.4p when the US-Israeli campaign against Iran began on February 28.
Diesel is now at its most expensive level since November 2023. Petrol prices are up 7% over the same period, rising from 132.8p per litre to 141.5p per litre - the priciest it has been since August 2024.