Queues at fuel pumps could become a reality in the near future if moves to ban oil imports from Russia go ahead, experts suggest.
Waterford Economist, Jim Power, is chairing a conference in Kilkenny today on the subject of transport.
The EU wants the importation of Russian oil halted by the end of the year as part of new sanctions on the Russian Federation over its invasion of Ukraine.
Jim Power says halting Russian oil imports could potentially lead to scenes not witnesses since the 1970s when queues were seen outside petrol stations:
"Queuing and rationing of gas, of fuel for cars, of diesel for commercial vehicles and so on could become a very real possibility. There's no doubt whatsoever about that. But I think the other thing that this crisis should highlight to us is the absolute imperative to push the alternative energy agenda as quickly as possible."
iRoute Conference in Kilkenny
Transport and mobility experts from across Europe are in Kilkenny today for the conference to put rural mobility in the spotlight and press the case for joined up policy in the area.
The Integrated Rural & Urban Transport Evolution (iROUTE ) conference will be chaired by economist, Jim Power.
It brings together national and international contributors from a variety of backgrounds, including transport providers, academic experts, funders, community groups, local development companies and public representatives.
The event will be addressed by Minister Hildegarde Naughton and transport experts from Ireland and across Europe, including Lucie Kirstein and Giorgio Ambrosino as well as Irish experts.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Kilkenny LEADER Partnership CEO, Declan Rice said having a rural transport system that affords people the option to leave the car at home should be a right:
“If we are serious about creating so-called ‘Smart Villages’ and communities we just need to get the integration planning discussion going and make it work. Ireland has a unique opportunity to lead the way and to show how the future should look for rural shared mobility planning,” he said.
More here on the latest for Waterford.
