‘Fuel availability for motorists outside Scotland will not be affected by the potential shutdown at the Grangemouth refinery. If the shutdown does occur,   the effect on supply in Scotland will be limited due to the sheer volume of fuel already in the supply chain,’ said Ray Holloway, director of the RMI Petrol Retailers Association (PRA).

Holloway continues: ‘If motorists in Scotland buy their normal fuel requirement, any inconvenience ultimately caused by the industrial dispute at Grangemouth will be minimzed. It is still not certain that the refinery will close, and even if it does the fuels already in storage will remain available for distribution to forecourts across Scotland.

‘It is bulk-buying of fuel that will ultimately be responsible for any shortages. Even if supplies are not interrupted, if motorists buy more than their normal requirements, they will be putting abnormal pressure on the road delivery services of the oil industry in Scotland. Forecourts do not have unlimited storage facilities. If they are prematurely drained of fuel stocks due to bulk buying this will lead to consumer inconvenience while they are refilled.’

Holloway adds: ‘Fuel suppliers have planned for these circumstances and by working with the Scottish and UK Governments will be able to ensure forecourt retailers requirements continue to be delivered by road tanker.’