Government advice on storing petrol slammed

Motoring and Travel

Updated on 29 March 2012 | 13 Comments

With a fuel tanker strike still on the horizon, the Government has come under fire after issuing 'mistaken' advice on storing petrol.

As talks to avert a fuel tanker driver strike continue, the Government has come under fire from several angles for its handling of the situation.

There have been reports of panic buying in certain areas following continued Government advice that people should fill up their tanks in case the strike goes ahead. Road and motor industry bodies and petrol retailers have said that there is no need to panic.

And Cabinet Secretary Francis Maude has been heavily criticised after he said on BBC radio: "The greater extent to which people have fuel in their vehicles - maybe a little bit in the garage as well in a jerrycan - the longer we can keep things going.”

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has warned that Mr Maude's comments are "not sensible advice".

Matt Wrack, FBU General Secretary, said: "Those without garages may be tempted to store fuel in the home. In the event of a fire in the house or a neighbouring property, it would be disastrous. It is already against the law to store more than 10 litres of petrol in two five-litre plastic containers in the home. As that amounts to little more than a third of a tank in most cars, the advice is of little practical help."

Mr Maude's comments are also flawed because the average jerrycan contains 20 litres of fuel, well above the legal limit. MP Mike Penning has since called Mr Maude's advice "a mistake".

You can legally store two 10-litre metal containers of petrol in a vehicle or in a garage.

The AA confirmed to us that it is also against the law to transport more than two five-litre plastic containers of petrol in a motor vehicle.

There are currently no restrictions on diesel transport or storage, although it is obviously a potential fire risk.

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