British soldiers will be on the roads within “the next couple of days” to help with the United Kingdom’s ongoing fuel shortages, the government said Wednesday.
“I think in the next couple of days people will see some soldiers driving the tanker fleet,” British Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said, CNN Business reported.
“The last few days have been difficult,” Kwarteng added. “We’ve seen large queues, but I think the situation is stabilizing.”
A government source told CNN 150 military tankers will be used to help get fuel to stations amid a shortage in truck drivers that has led to people stockpiling gas, a move discouraged by government officials.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Britons they needed to get gas “in the normal way, when you really need it.”
BP said last week that it has had to close some gas stations over the shortage.
“We are experiencing some fuel supply issues at some of our retail sites in the UK and unfortunately have therefore seen a handful of sites temporarily close due to a lack of both unleaded and diesel grades,” the oil company said.
“We continue to work with our haulier supplier to minimise any future disruption and to ensure efficient and effective deliveries to serve our customers,” BP added.