British PM Seeks To Avert Fuel Shortage As Tanker Drivers Start 4-Day Strike On Friday

June 10, 2008 12:50 p.m. EST

London, England (AHN) - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown asked motorists not to panic buy fuel amid threats by over 500 tanker drivers to go on a four-day strike starting Friday morning.

The planned halt in fuel deliveries could affect up to 10 percent of U.K.'s gas stations. Brown assured Britons emergency measures have been put in place to ensure fuel would still be available to drivers.

A spokesman of Brown said, "The most responsible thing the public can do is to continue to buy as normal."

Among the measures being implemented are for Shell service stations on two highways, Fleet on M3 and Taunton Deane on M5, to carry sufficient supply of fuel at all times. Brown has the option of exercising extra powers provided by the 1976 Energy Act, if the fuel crisis would worsen.

Unite, the truck drivers' union, is slated to meet with haulers in an attempt to negotiate their demand for a 13 percent salary increase.

Brown's spokesman added, "We do not believe that any strike action is justified because that would disproportionately impact on the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in the country not involved in this dispute."