Letters to the Editor

as and when necessary.

Plans and drawings were sent to the Petroleum Officer, Mr Kerry Clarke forapproval as specified in the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928. Mr Clarke was unable to approve these drawing as vital information was not made available. As time past the commencement date for the works was drawing near and no revised plans had been received or approved. Mr Clarke spoke and advised the project company of the legal requirement to obtain the consent, and Sainsbury's liability to do so.

The revised plans and drawings arrived on the morning of works commencement date, Mr Clarke passed the station to discover a full scale construction site. During the works, Mr Clarke found various problems which fortunately were able to be put right, he also received various new plans and drawing superseding the previous drawings.

The first petrol delivery was due for the pumps to be primed and calibrated, usually the site operate under a DCD licence, but during the works the DCD equipment was removed. The only way to receive the delivery would be to revert back to the LCD procedure, which requires them to give the PLA at least 1 weeks notice. This was not done and the LCD delivery took place using an untrained incompetent member of staff.

Following an in-depth investigation by Mr Clarke, Sainsbury's Supermarkets Limited were charged with three separate offences as follows-

Offence 1 - Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 : Failing to obtain written consent to alter the licensed premise: £4,500

Offence 2 - Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 1996 : Reverting back from DCD to LCD without at least 1 weeks notice to the PLA: £4,000

Offence 3 - Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 1996 : Using an incompetent person to take a LCD. £4,000

It appeared that the Company placed commercial considerations & time limits before the Health & Safety of both the public & its employess. Herefordshire Councils' Trading Standards Service considered that the matter was sufficently serious enough to warrant prosecution and hope that this will send out a clear message that breaches of

Scotland, June 15 2003. Scientists sow seeds of cheap green petrol on surplus land

IT IS cleaner and greener and coming to a garage forecourt near you. Farmers and scientists are planning to use redundant land in Scotland to produce a new generation of pollution-cutting biofuels that could even bring down pump prices and road tax.

Bio-ethanol is an alcohol distilled from crops such as wheat and sugar beet. When blended with petrol and burned in conventional petrol engines, it produces less carbon-dioxide greenhouse gas and other pollutants. But although it is already used widely and successfully to fuel petrol-driven transport in other parts of the world, the industry in Britain is still in its infancy. Now the National Farmers' Union Scotland and distilling experts at Heriot Watt University have formed a partnership to kickstart production.

Earlier this month they met Scottish Executive officials who indicated their support. In another vital boost to the project, the British Sugar company has made clear it wants to build a series of £10m bio-ethanol plants around the country, including Scotland, to produce the fuel.

Dr Alan Rutherford, a visiting professor at the International Distilling and Brewing Centre at Heriot Watt, said bio-ethanol production was proven technology. "We also have land doing nothing, farmers willing to grow the crop and companies willing to invest in the distilleries. Other countries such as France and Spain are way ahead of us on this and all we need is for government to get behind us."

Motoring organisations said that as well as benefiting the environment, pump prices could fall and vehicle excise duty could be reduced. "If we go down this route then motorists will have to be given an incentive to buy it," said a spokesman for the RAC. "This could mean a reduction in forecourt prices for this type of fuel."

Setting up biofuel plants would fit in with government commitments to reduce the amount of damaging greenhouse gases produced by millions of petrol-burning vehicles. The NFUS believes the biofuel industry could meet about 5% of the UK's current annual petrol consumption of 24 million tonnes a year. This target could be reached by using the 1.2 million acres of land in the UK currently under the EU's 'set-aside' scheme for growing wheat and sugar beet.

John Kinnaird, president of the NFUS, said there would be benefits for farmers, consumers and the environment. "Energy from farmland could be a substitute on the land that isn't needed for food production," he said. "Energy from crops will also deliver important environmental benefits as every litre of fuel from our own resources means that we're taking the pressure off international supplies of fossil fuels."

Once harvested, the wheat and sugar beet would be transported to speciallybuilt distilleries, costing around £10m, and capable of producing about 100 million litres of biofuel annually. Rutherford estimates around six will be needed, including two in Scotland, to meet demand.

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said ministers were committed to promoting the use of biofuels for transport to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Officials had attended the Edinburgh meeting to listen to the industry with a view to pursuing the issue at UK level.

Scotland, Glasgow, July 11 2003 BP expands its Scottish retail network

BP is to expand its Scottish retail network by acquiring 25 service stations owned by Texaco Ltd in the central area of Scotland.

The move is part of an asset 'swap' between the two companies that will see Texaco Ltd, a subsidiary of ChevronTexaco, taking over a number of BP sites in Wales and the south-west of England.

BP will be making a multi-million pound investment in the newly acquired network. That includes plans to transform, immediately, at least four of the sites into its flagship BP Connect convenience offer, complete with the award-winning Wild Bean café.

In total BP will exchange 21 service stations in Wales and the south west for 25 of Texaco's Scottish service stations,

plus a further four undeveloped Texaco sites.

The Scottish locations are all in the central belt of Scotland, between Dundee and Ayr, and mostly around Edinburgh and Glasgow. Rebranding is expected to be complete by year end.

Scotland, August 27 2003. Fuelling island’s big ambitions

The days of using funnels and jugs to fill up a vehicle at the island of Colonsay's only petrol station are numbered, it emerged yesterday.

The antiquated garage is getting a near £150,000 revamp to provide a better service for the 100-strong population and visitors on one of the most remote of the islands of Argyll, once an important Viking stronghold.

Colonsay Community Development Company Ltd (CCDC) has been awarded £10,000 from Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) and £126,610 from the Scottish Executive-funded Rural Petrol Stations Scheme. CCDC has also contributed £8,645 of its own money and £1,016 has been secured from the European-funded LEADER+ programme. The money will go towards redeveloping the site at Scalasaig to meet current fuel and environmental legislation. The old petrol tank and pump will be removed and replaced by a new twin-compartment tank, with two fuel dispensers.

CCDC recently purchased the fuel station site from Colonsay Estate, with assistance from the Scottish Land Fund and the community land unit at Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The island is one of the areas covered by the government-backed Iomairt aig an Oir (Initiative at the Edge) project which aims to help remote and fragile communities.

It was launched at the Scottish Crofters' Union conference in 1997 to prioritise funding from public agencies to assist the most remote, rural areas. Other areas such as Uig and Bernera in Lewis, the Bays area of Harris, Lochboisdale in South Uist, Eriskay, Westray and Papa Westray in Orkney, Ardnamurchan and north Sutherland are benefiting from similar projects. Christa Byrne, the CCDC chairman, said, "Colonsay's petrol pump has been living on borrowed time for quite a while. We have a particularly primitive system, involving funnels and jugs for dispensing diesel, so we all eagerly anticipate the completion of the new reliable upgraded pumps in the very near future." Ken Abernethy, AIE's chief executive, added, "Colonsay is a high priority island for AIE and we see this project as being vital to the sustainability of this community."

Turkey, Ankarq, July 7 2003. Injury toll from Turkey fuel blast reaches 189

Turkey's health minister said yesterday 189 people were injured when an explosion ripped through a petrol station in central Ankara, most of them wedding guests celebrating in a hall on the same site. Seven people were in critical condition, Health Minister Recep Akdag said.

A massive fireball engulfed the hall after the blast which happened late on the weekend as a tanker delivered liquid petroleum gas (LPG) at the station in a working-class neighbourhood in the Turkish capital.

The wedding hall, with a capacity of 300 people, was full at the time, the state-run Anatolian news agency said.

Newspapers said yesterday at least 100 homes were seriously damaged and one was destroyed by the fire, which quickly spread to nearby buildings. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan pledged new rules to bar LPG stations from residential areas, and the government yesterday announced a special inspector to investigate the blast.

Press Releases

As part of their continuous development programme Cameron Forecourt Ltd have made two internal appointments to fill the positions of regional service managers to support their service engineers and clients on a national basis.

Geoff Davies, who has worked with the original Cameron team since the 1970's is now responsible for the engineers in the North of the country, whilst John Smith, who has worked with Forecourt Engineering Ltd for the last 6 years is responsible for leading the engineers based in the south.

The principle purpose of these appointments is to ensure that the company provides a high level of engineering and welfare support to its field service engineer's. The service managers are also responsible for liaising with customers to ensure that the company fully understands the demands of its clients, and can work with them to tailor a level of service to meet their individual needs.

This development is just part of the ongoing programme being undertaken by Cameron Forecourt Ltd as the company continues to fully integrate the businesses of Cameron 200 Ltd and Forecourt Engineering Ltd

Further information of the company's developing role within the industry can be obtained by contacting Barry Jenner on 01252 379800.

Gilbarco Veeder-Root launches new business

Gilbarco Veeder-Root, which has over 60% of the UK forecourt service contract business, has launched its latest new initiative. It has established a new business called Forecourt Despatch, which sells spare parts and forecourt consumables on 24 hour delivery and used equipment on flexible finance terms.

Forecourt Despatch expands the service Gilbarco Veeder-Root offers to the forecourt retailer and supplier. It comprises three key elements:

Spare parts for Gilbarco Veeder-Root equipment. A 24 hour delivery service is promised on over 650 specified items.

Consumables such as till rolls, scuff guards and livery, which will also be supplied on a 24 hour basis.

Used Gilbarco Veeder-Root

equipment such as pumps, supplied complete with a 3 month warranty.

Jim Savin, previously Contract Sales Manager has been charged with heading up the new business and explains: “As the original equipment supplier we are in the best possible position to be able to supply quality spare parts and consumables for our own equipment as per the original specification. We recognise customers need parts quickly to minimise the loss of sales and we have therefore put together a dedicated team to provide a fast, reliable and flexible service.” Forecourt Despatch is based at the Basildon site of Gilbarco Veeder-Root.

Initially, there are over 450 items on the spare parts price list, which, it is anticipated will meet the vast majority of spare part requests for equipment such as the HL2, Euroline, TS1000, Passport POS System and Edacom E10 and E90/10. Enquiries for non listed items will also be welcomed and quoted for, subject to availability. Consumables include till rolls and ribbons, approved for use in Gilbarco Veeder-Root equipment plus a selection of livery items such as scuff guards, product identity badges and grade labels. Customers can buy on account or pay by credit card to ensure 24 hour delivery.

The strategy behind selling used Gilbarco Veeder-Root equipment is logical given the current low margins earned by forecourt retailers in the UK. Many independents find it financially non viable to purchase new petrol pumps and have to cope with inefficient equipment, which breaks down regularly. “By making available used Gilbarco Veeder-Root equipment at an affordable price and on flexible payment terms, more retailers can upgrade to safe, reliable equipment and have the peace of mind of a service contract, if they wish”, explains Jim Savin.

For all enquiries and orders Forecourt Despatch can be contacted on

T: 01282 507507 or E:gilbas.sales@gilbarco.com. For further information about this press release and digital images please contact:

Fay Handley Dixon Handley Marketing

Tel: 01926 885511 Fax: 01926 885552 E: info@dixonhandleymarketing.co.uk www.dixonhandleymarketing.co.uk

OPW delivers its 300th cabinet

OPW are proud to announce that it has delivered its 300th DCD cabinet this year to a major Supermarket Chain. The product range which provides Driver Controlled Delivery terminal and Customer Emergency Centre for Service Station Forecourts was introduced to the UK in January this year and has since been widely accepted by customers for the features it can offer. Using the DCD unit, information about the status of the fuel tanks may be obtained at any time. This is especially useful at unmanned sites and outside normal working hours. Details of the tank ullage i.e. amount of fuel that may be safely delivered to a tank, is shown on an illuminated display in the unit. An internal printer provides a hard copy of this information. On completion of a delivery, a ticket may be obtained with a record of the amount dropped in each tank. This enables safe deliveries to be made when the Station's 'competent person' is not available. The tanker drivers are therefore able to ensure the underground full tanks are not overfilled. The DCD units work with most well known Electronic Tank gauges and is able to give an overfill alarm to assist the driver in preventing spillage's on the Forecourt.

Each DCD is equipped with Time delay area lighting circuit so that the Delivery Driver or Customer can have the protection of a lit area when leaving the Station. There is also an Emergency Phone with programmable numbers and Emergency Electrical Disconnect Switch providing a contact for the loop, which disables the power to the station, incorporated within the Cabinets. The Cabinets are available for both Wall and Floor mounting.

For more details contact OPW UK Tel: 01858 433 365

Petrofuse ZP - Unique pipe work system offers zero permeation, dual containment and full conductivity!

A unique and highly innovative pipework system, designed for both suction and pressure applications, has been developed to provide forecourt operators with unrivalled performance in terms of conductivity, impermeability and dual containment.

Petrofuse ZP is the only non-steel system to have achieved full approval from the DIBt (Deutsche Industrie Bautechnik) in Germany - the world's most demanding specification for petrol forecourt pipe work systems.

Manufactured in 6m lengths, Petrofuse ZP is light and easy to handle - a definite advantage for installers. Bends can be formed to suit on site and both threaded and flanged transition fittings are available. Petrofuse ZP is available in a standard range of sizes to suit petrol, LPG and industrial applications: 32mm, 50mm, 63mm, 90mm and 110m.

Petrofuse ZP - the ZP stands for 'zero permeation' - is a twin wall pipe. The internal product pipe is manufactured from aluminium and the external secondary containment pipe is polyethylene. Pipe lengths are connected by the combination of an electrofusion joint and the patented 'bozzle' fitting that maintains conductivity, zero permeation and the interstitial gap through the joint.

Petrofuse ZP Ltd's headquarters are based in Bromsgrove, England. Tim Foster, Managing Director, is understandably excited about prospects for the new system: 'The permeation problems encountered by many forecourt operators in the USA and Europe have been widely reported in the trade press. Petrofuse ZP eradicates these problems and at the same time provides a durable, flexible and fully-welded dual containment solution.'

Christian Papenburg, European Sales Director, is equally enthusiastic: 'For those operators that wish to continuously monitor product lines we supply a proactive interstitial monitoring solution that is in operation 24/7. It is all part of our mission to provide turnkey below ground pipe system solutions in