UK Petrol rationing threat as police prepare to get tough with striking drivers

Striking tanker drivers have threatened to call another four-day stoppage next week if no agreement is reached in the pay dispute that has threatened fuel supplies across the country.

The move comes as the Government instructed police forces to break up any picket lines that threatened to prevent tankers from leaving or entering fuel depots.

Emergency powers to order petrol rationing will come into force on Monday if the strike threatens to grow out of control. Any mass show of secondary picketing at refineries and distribution depots this weekend will disrupt plans by the industry to keep petrol flowing at the pumps. Fuel shortages will also be inevitable if farmers and hauliers join illicit protests.

Slow convoys of lorries will stage demonstrations today near refineries at Stanlow, Cheshire, and Fawley, near Southampton, over the high duty on fuel.