Diesel spill hotline due

The BMF will call for a nationwide diesel-spills hotline to be set up as part of a massive shake-up of responsibilities for the UK’s roads network.

The 0800-style line would be widely advertised and aim to end the confusion over who should be called in the event of a spillage. Many people currently call the police when they spot a spill – but it’s usually a local council responsibility to do the clearance job. The hotline would make it a one-call-does-it-all function and speed the removal of diesel.

Already the battle against diesel spills has won a first victory. The Government is now backing a plan to issue guidelines on clearing spills.

The move is included in the committee stages of the massive new Traffic Management Bill after the intervention of the BMF and BMW R1150RT riding-Peer Lord Rotherwick.

BMF spokesman Jeff Stone said: “This new Bill covers everything from who digs up the roads to who clears up accidents. But there was nothing included about who clears up diesel spills.”

The amendment will make the authorities responsible for road networks also responsible for the removal of diesel spills.

The BMF will lobby for the diesel-spills hotline during the consultation process on the Bill.

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