Diesel shortfall will mean service cuts
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REDUCTIONS in some bus services are "probably inevitable" due to interruptions in diesel oil supplies, according to the Department of Energy.
A spokesman was commenting on problems experienced by local authority undertakings which have had their allocations of diesel cut to cope with the recent reduced supplies of oil from Iran.
He said that meetings are being held regularly between the Department of Energy and major oil suppliers to try to alleviate problems, but added that there was little which could be done nationally when the shortfall in supplies was less than 10 per cent.
He added: "We understand the anxiety about supplies, but a reduction in some services is probably inevitable."
Among operators hit by shortages is Lincoln, which is being limited to the same monthly consignments as were allocated last year. It fears that the current rate of delivery could lead to a total withdrawal of services in four months' time.
At Southend-on-Sea, diesel deliveries are being limited to last year's levels, but the undertaking has been able to obtain all orders which it has placed so far.
A spokesman for one major oil supplier confirmed that an allocation system was in force, but added that any customer who was hit hard by a shortage will be considered separately.
He added that he hoped that the shortages would be overcome by the summer, but much depends upon a return to normal life in Iran and the rate of oil production which the new Islamic government decides upon.
The Association of District Councils has asked its members to report any difficulties, and it is passing on regular reports to the Departments of Transport and Energy for national consideration.