Motorists have been told not to stock up unnecessarily
Ellie Crabbe, Press Association and Carl Eve Crime Reporter
20:42, 04 Mar 2026Updated 20:48, 04 Mar 2026
(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach Plc)
Signs went up at a busy Bristol petrol station today after many unleaded pumps ran dry.
Motorists are being urged not to panic buy petrol amid warnings fuel prices could rise, because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Despite the plea, many forecourts around the country have seen queues as motorists fear the war with Iran will disrupt oil markets.
At Sainsbury’s Castle Court in Brislington this evening (Wednesday, March 4), staff were seen directing traffic entering the site as many unleaded pumps were out of use.
Pictures taken by Bristol Live shortly before 6pm show hand-written signs telling customers: “No unleaded on pumps 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12.”
Similar scenes have been reported elsewhere. A driver on Facebook, who relies on their vehicle for work, said there was a “huge queue” at Stockwood Murco this morning and pleaded with people not to panic buy.
Another motorist, writing on X yesterday, reported: “Lengthy queues in Bristol for fuel. Some out of petrol already.”
But drivers have been warned not to break their refuelling routine, as it takes time for higher wholesale costs to filter through to the pump.
“Pump prices are heading up – wholesale costs had been increasing even before the weekend’s strikes on Iran,” said Luke Bosdet, a spokesman for the AA.
“However, pump averages today are still below where they started the year and petrol is almost 6.5p a litre cheaper than this time last year. That makes a tank of petrol more than £3.50 cheaper than in early March 2025.
The sign at Castle Court(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach Plc)
“The fuel trade has reported some increased demand, which was expected, but drivers in general are heeding advice to stick to their usual refuelling routines.
“There’s no point wasting time, fuel and money queuing when drivers don’t need to.”
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said the impact of oil price rises should not be felt for at least a week.
Mr Williams said: “We really shouldn’t see a shock jump in prices at the pumps as wholesale fuel costs had only been rising gradually in recent weeks.
“Even though the price of dated Brent crude rose by five dollars a barrel [on Mondayto 78 dollars, the impact of this shouldn’t be felt for over a week.”
He encouraged retailers not to increase the price of fuel which is already in forecourt tanks.
“Knowing the tendency for price increases to be passed on far more quickly than cuts, on behalf of drivers we urge retailers not to put up the price of fuel they’ve already got in forecourt tanks and reflect any increases in wholesale fuel fairly on the forecourt,” Mr Williams said.
Staff were directing traffic (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach Plc)
Meanwhile, Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association, said pump prices will “have to go up”.
“The conflict in the Middle East has increased the wholesale cost of petrol and diesel, which will mean pump prices will have to go up,” he said.
“Rising fuel prices hurt the economy in the form of higher inflation, impacting already hard-pressed household budgets.
“To help motorists and businesses, I am today writing to the Chancellor urging her to abandon the planned fuel duty increases.”
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