Bruce calls on Government to urgently review LPG fuel supply to rural homes

12.00.00am GMT Tue 19th Jan 2010

Gordon MP Malcolm Bruce has called on the Transport Secretary Lord Adonis to consider extending the relaxation of the rules on drivers' working hours urgently, in order to help clear a backlog of vital heating fuel deliveries to homes across the North East.

Concerns have been relayed to the MP about the ability of companies to complete their deliveries to homes in the North East before some households run out of fuel. The MP has written to the Secretary of State to ask his assurances that the Government is doing all it can to help alleviate the situation.

The Department of Transport which had already granted two successive derogations from the European rules governing working hours has indicated that it will not be granting a further extension past the 25th January. This means that the current backlog of LPG deliveries might not be fully cleared before the next cold snap.

Commenting Mr Bruce said -

"The hazardous driving conditions over the last few weeks have created a backlog which has led to a reduction of heating fuel deliveries. This means that some homes may run out of fuel before they receive their next delivery.

"I know that the companies in question are working hard to address these issues but they are battling against the clock and the elements in order to fulfil their vital delivery commitments.

"Although extreme wintry conditions have affected the whole country, Northern Scotland has suffered greatly, which happens to be the part of the country most reliant on heating oil.

"With another cold snap forecast shortly I am calling on the Government to help reassure my constituents relying on these deliveries that they will not be left to freeze."

ENDS