UK government sees 'tentative' signs fuel crisis is easing

Britain’s transport minister says there are “tentative signs” a fuel-supply crisis snarling the country is easing, but it will be a while before the situation returns to normal

LONDON -- Britain’s transport minister said Tuesday there are “tentative signs” a fuel-supply crisis snarling the country is easing, but it will be a while before the situation returns to normal.

The government has put army troops on standby to help get gas to stations and help ease a fuel drought triggered by a shortage of truck drivers.

“There are now the first very tentative signs of stabilization in forecourt storage which won’t be reflected in the queues as yet,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said. “But it is the first time that we have seen more petrol actually in the petrol stations.

“As the industry said yesterday, the sooner we can all return to our normal buying habits, the sooner the situation will return to normal.”