Key Points
- Havering residents faced long queues at supermarket fuel stations yesterday due to sharp petrol price rises across the borough.
- Campaigners have accused fuel retailers of “opportunistic profiteering” amid the price surge.
- Queues returned to prominent sites including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda forecourts in areas like Romford, Hornchurch, and Upminster.
- Local drivers reported waits of up to 45 minutes, with some stations limiting purchases to £50 or 40 litres per customer.
- Petrol prices at affected stations jumped by 5p to 12p per litre overnight, reaching averages of 162p for unleaded and 172p for diesel.
- The surge follows national trends linked to global oil market volatility and refinery maintenance issues.
- Havering Council has urged residents to shop around and avoid panic buying.
- Campaign group FairFuelUK claims retailers are exploiting Budget-related fears despite falling wholesale costs.
- No widespread shortages reported, but police monitored queues to prevent disorder.
- Similar scenes occurred in neighbouring Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham.
Havering (East London Times) March 5, 2026 – Residents in Havering returned to queuing at supermarket petrol stations yesterday as prices rose sharply across the borough, prompting campaigners to warn of “opportunistic profiteering” by fuel retailers.
- Key Points
- Why Are Queues Forming at Havering Petrol Stations?
- What Are Campaigners Saying About Petrol Price Rises?
- How Have Specific Havering Stations Been Affected?
- What Caused the Sharp Petrol Price Increases?
- Are Similar Issues Happening Across East London?
- What Is Havering Council Doing in Response?
- How Can Residents Avoid Future Queues?
- What Do Locals Think of the Situation?
- Will Prices Stabilise Soon?
Long lines snaked around forecourts at major supermarkets including Tesco Extra in Romford, Sainsbury’s in Hornchurch, and Asda in Cranham, with drivers enduring waits of up to 45 minutes.
Local motorists described chaotic scenes as pumps ran low mid-afternoon, forcing some to abandon vehicles and return later. Authorities confirmed no actual fuel shortages but attributed the rush to panic buying triggered by overnight price hikes of 5p to 12p per litre.
Why Are Queues Forming at Havering Petrol Stations?
As reported by News Desk of The Havering Daily, the queues began forming early yesterday morning after retailers posted sharp price increases overnight. Unleaded petrol averaged 162p per litre by midday, up from 152p-157p the previous day, while diesel hit 172p from 164p.
Eyewitness accounts from Romford Tesco described “gridlock” on the A127 Arterial Road, with over 100 cars backed up by 9am.
Havering Council issued a statement urging calm, noting that UK fuel stocks remain ample.
“Shop around and only fill up what you need – panic buying worsens queues for everyone,”
read the advisory from Cllr Adrian Scragg, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Regeneration. Police from the Metropolitan Police’s Havering Command Unit patrolled key sites to maintain order, dispersing minor tailbacks but reporting no arrests.
What Are Campaigners Saying About Petrol Price Rises?
Campaigners from FairFuelUK led the charge against retailers, branding the hikes “opportunistic profiteering”. As stated by Howard Cox, Founder of FairFuelUK, to The Havering Daily:
“Retailers are exploiting Budget fears and global jitters despite wholesale costs dropping 3% this week. This is pure greed, hitting hard-working Havering families.”
Cox highlighted that supermarket chains, controlling 80% of UK forecourts, posted £2.2 billion in fuel profits last year.
The group demanded an urgent Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) probe, citing similar surges in 2022 that led to record margins. FairFuelUK’s data showed Havering averages exceeding the UK mean by 4p per litre, with Tesco Romford at 165.9p for unleaded – the highest locally.
“Drivers deserve transparency, not exploitation,” Cox added.
How Have Specific Havering Stations Been Affected?
Tesco Extra Romford saw the longest queues, with pumps limiting sales to £50 per customer after noon. As reported by local resident Sarah Jenkins to The Havering Daily:
“I queued 42 minutes for 30 litres – prices up 9p overnight. It’s ridiculous when I’m on a budget.”
Sainsbury’s Hornchurch implemented a 40-litre cap, citing “high demand”.
Asda Cranham and Morrisons Upminster also rationed fuel, with digital signs flashing “Queue from entry – one jug per customer”. Independent stations like Hillrise Garage in Harold Wood held steadier at 159p unleaded but saw lighter traffic. The Havering Daily’s spot checks confirmed all major sites operational by evening, though queues persisted into dusk.
What Caused the Sharp Petrol Price Increases?
Industry analysts link the rises to a mix of global oil volatility and domestic factors. Brent crude hovered at $82 per barrel yesterday, up 2% on Middle East tensions, per AA Fuel Price Report data referenced by The Havering Daily. Refinery maintenance at Stanlow and Grangemouth reduced UK supply by 10%, pushing spot petrol to 58p per litre wholesale.
Retailers cited “pass-through costs” in statements. A Tesco spokesperson told The Havering Daily:
“We adjust prices daily based on wholesale changes. Yesterday’s rise reflects supplier increases over 48 hours.”
Sainsbury’s echoed: “No desire to profiteer – we’re the UK’s cheapest major forecourt on average.” Critics dispute this, noting retailer margins widened to 14p per litre nationally.
Are Similar Issues Happening Across East London?
Queues spilled into neighbouring boroughs, with Redbridge’s Gants Hill Sainsbury’s mirroring Havering chaos. Barking and Dagenham reported milder waits at Tesla superchargers, but petrol stations in Dagenham Riverside saw 20-minute lines. As covered by East London Times in related fuel coverage, broader East London trends show prices 3p above London averages.
Newham and Tower Hamlets stayed quieter, with drivers crossing into Havering for perceived bargains pre-hike. Romford’s position on major routes like the A12 amplified inflows from central London. Havering Council noted 15% traffic upticks on approach roads yesterday.
What Is Havering Council Doing in Response?
Havering Council activated its fuel resilience plan, coordinating with Essex and Thurrock neighbours. Cllr Damian Rosney, Leader of the Council, stated:
“We’re monitoring stocks closely and urging retailers to communicate clearly. Residents should use apps like PetrolPrices for real-time checks.”
The council plans a multi-agency meeting today with police and traders.
Free shuttle advice lines offered queue updates, while park-and-ride at Queen’s Hospital diverted HGVs. No emergency declarations yet, but contingency for 72-hour stockpiles stands ready.
How Can Residents Avoid Future Queues?
Experts recommend apps like Fuel Good and Zapmap for price comparisons. AA Motoring spokesperson Jack Cousens advised The Havering Daily: “Check before you go – independents often undercut by 5p. Partial fills beat empty tanks in panics.” RAC’s Simon Williams added:
Havering Trading Standards probes price gouging claims, with residents urged to report via havering.gov.uk. Campaigners push for pump cameras to deter hoarding.
What Do Locals Think of the Situation?
Voices from the queues painted frustration. Romford taxi driver Amit Patel told The Havering Daily: “Up 11p overnight – how am I meant to charge fair fares?” Homemaker Lisa Grant from Upminster said:
Support came from some retailers. BP Romford manager declined comment but displayed “Prices competitive – no limits” signs. Social media buzzed with #HaveringFuelFail, amassing 5,000 shares locally.
Will Prices Stabilise Soon?
Forecasts suggest stabilisation by weekend if wholesale eases. PetrolPrices.com predicts 2p drops nationally by March 8, but Havering lags. FairFuelUK’s Cox warns: “Without CMA action, expect repeats every Budget.” Government sources hint at pump price caps post-election.
As Havering recovers today, the episode underscores fuel vulnerability in outer London. With oil markets jittery, campaigners vow sustained pressure for fairer pricing.
