Spain Transport Strike

[Dakota]

The transport strike started yesterday (9 June) and Spain is already without fuel in many places. Some delivereies were made to Cepsa garages during the night.

There are blockades with the French borders and in major cities resulting in long tailbacks particularly in and around Madrid, Barcelona, Asturias, Cantabria, Navarra, Valladolid, Valencia, Málaga, Cádiz and either side of the Basque and Catalan French borders.

As delivereis are not getting through, there are reports of some food shortages, which will no doubt mean there will be panic buying of that today too.

[Dakota]

National news is now reporting that 60% of petrol stations across Spain have no fuel, and supermarket shelves are emptying of fresh food.

There has been 2 deaths today - a Portuguese lorry driver near Lisbon and another in Granada. The Spanish lorry drivers associations have broken off talks with the Ministry for Development ‘in solidarity with the dead colleague’ so I guess this won't be ending any time soon.

[Dakota]

The Government say they have reached an agreement with the lorry drivers, but those organising the stike have not agreed to the terms and are continuing with their blockades. Major roads are still affected throughout Spain, but the border with France at Jonquera (Girona) has been opened.

This morning, another lorry driver suffered 60% of burns to his body after his lorry was set on fire while he was sleeping inside it.

The supply of fuel has not improved with 60% of petrol stations still dry. Some of the stations that have fuel are limiting it. Gibraltar airport have limited supplies of aviation fuel. Ferry crossings to the Balearics have been suspended. Our local petrol station will run dry this afternoon.

The supermarkets in most major towns and cities are empty of fruit/veg/meat/fish and essentials. Our village is self-sufficient and the small shops are still fairly well stocked with local fresh produce, but the biggest supermarket here has a lot of empty shelves. Meat, fish and eggs are becoming scarce.

[bikerz]

petrol stations empty all over the country in portugal too...rapidly being followed by the supermarkets!

[JMo (& piglet)]

Is this serious, or just scaremongering like we get in the UK? Our papers were full of doom this morning... but as usual nothing actually happens, other than the price goes up again...

Seriously though, I'd be interested to hear if it's sorting itself out, as I was planning on getting the Bilbao ferry next week!

xxx

[bikerz]

maybe cleared up by next week but i wouldn't want to set off now thats for sure. we are in central portugal and tried 5 petrol stations today.not a drop!