Amid rumours of strike inflamed by the governments' confusing advice to motorists "should fill up their vehicles and keep a jerry can of petrol in their garage".

Lorry driers are threatening to strike mainly because of health and safety concerns and also about their pensions. As lorry drivers are pushed to work longer hours and forced meet tight deadlines due to the increasing pressure for profits and contracts on behalf of managers, there are serious concenrs among drivers that this might cause accidents.

Also, part of the reason for thinking of going on strike is conern about the drivers' pension scheme which would leave them poorer in retirement.