Darlington petrol station remain open despite fuel pressures

A drive around the town on Sunday afternoon (March 29) found key forecourts operating as normal, with queues at the pumps but no signs of closures.

Sainsbury’s on Victoria Road, Esso on Grange Road, JET at Newton Park Service Station on Darlington Road and BP High Northgate (RSS Darlington) were all open and serving customers.

BP High Northgate (RSS Darlington) (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

It marks a stark contrast with just a few days ago, when some local petrol stations were forced to shut temporarily after running out of fuel.

Sainsbury’s petrol station at Bishop Auckland retail park, which is usually one of the cheapest in County Durham, had to close on March 26 after it ran out.

The Sainsbury’s forecourt on Victoria Road in Darlington was also unable to sell petrol on March 27 as it waited to be restocked.

Today, queues of drivers were spotted throughout the afternoon as drivers waited to fill up, although fuel was still available and the site remained trading as usual.

Sainsbury’s on Victoria Road (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The shortages have come as pump prices have rapidly increased following the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran.

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks, and tensions have disrupted oil supplies and shipping routes in the region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil transport.

Motoring organisations say the situation has added significant costs for UK drivers.

Shell on Woodland Road (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The Iran oil crisis has cost motorists more than £300 million in higher fuel prices, according to analysis by the RAC Foundation.

The motoring research charity said increases in pump prices since the conflict began have led to drivers paying an additional £307 million for petrol and diesel.

Luke Bosdet, fuel spokesman for the AA, previously said there could still be disruption within the industry following previous panic buying.

He said: “The AA recognises that there is probably still turmoil in the fuel trade after the panic buying, and that may well have disrupted diesel contracts.

“It also understands that it is basic commerce for a retailer to load more profit on to some items than others.

“But for the petrol retailers to state that the rise in petrol prices, and likely a new record, is completely down to circumstances beyond their control just doesn’t ring true and has to be challenged.”