AA reassures motorists that there is "no shortage" of petrol

Drivers have been reassured that there is "no shortage" of petrol, despite a number of petrol station queues spotted by residents in Newbury.

Sainsbury's petrol station in Wash Common has had queues since this morning along with BP Station on the A4 and another petrol station along the A4 in Thatcham.

Tesco petrol station on Pinchington Lane as also been reported as closed.

It has been reported that petrol stations have closed some of their pumps.

However, AA president Edmund King has reassured motorists that there is “no shortage” of fuel.

He said: “There is no shortage of fuel and thousands of forecourts are operating normally with just a few suffering temporary supply chain problems.

“Fridays and the weekend always tend to be busier on forecourts as drivers either combine filling up with shopping runs, prepare for weekend trips or refuel for the start of the new working week.

“Drivers should not fill up outside their normal routines because, even if the occasional petrol station is temporarily closed, others just down the road will be open.”

Despite this, ‘panic buying’ has allegedly begun with local residents reporting queues at various stations in Newbury on social media.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps reassured drivers, on Sky News, saying that they should “carry on as normal”.

Mr King added: “It is now clear that there have been occasional delays over recent weeks that have been managed with hardly anyone noticing.

“This was a manageable problem.”