Petrol stations 'still out of stock'

The organisation which represents more than 5000 independent petrol stations across England has said that many garages are still having problems replenishing their stocks of fuel.

A threat of possible strike action by tanker drivers over safety and working conditions prompted widespread panic buying of petrol and diesel at the end of last week.

Brian Madderson, chairman of Retail Motor Industry, told the Today programme's Justin Webb that, while panic buying has abated, 30-50% of all retail sites polled by the organisation had either one grade [of petrol] or both grades out of stock.

"The withdrawal of fuel in such a frenzy in the mid part of last week has made the tankers row back orders, so some members won't be getting any fuel until next week".

"Petrol prices are going crazy" because retailers are having to buy in loads at higher prices, he said.
"The government created a crisis where one did not exist... industry should have been involved much earlier," he said.