Spills Kill...

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... However, I know a few of you 4 wheelers have had nasty experiences as well, so it's a united front!

Please read the following Press Release from the BMF and then please pop over here and ask your MP to sign this Early Day Motion.

http://campaign.publicaffairsbriefing.co.u...e7-01c8725e9407

Before you sign, check here to see if you're local MP has already signed it:

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails....819&SESSION=875

They also can't sign it, if they're a Government Minister.

13 June 2006

DIESEL SPILLS IN THE HOUSE

KillSpills Rally, Saturday 9th September 2006, London

Responding to a request from the British Motorcyclist Federation, a group of MPs have signed an Early Day Motion calling on the Government to raise awareness with vehicle users, manufacturers, oil companies and their retailers, of the danger that split diesel can present to motorcycle an scooter users.

Led by biking MP Bill Wiggin, Conservative Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister and chair of All Party Motorcycle Group (APMG), the Early Day Motion (EDM), has been tabled as part of this year’s KillSpills campaign sponsored by the BMF and designed to draw attention to the diesel spillage issue.

Fellow APMG members Lembit Öpik MP and Stephen Pound MP also sponsored the motion as did Peter Bottomley MP, Conservative backbencher and a former Transport Minister. Within two days, a further 20 MPs also signed the EDM.

Speaking after tabling the EDM, Bill Wiggin, who regularly uses his motorcycle to travel to the House, said: “Diesel spillage is a real danger to all two wheeled vehicle users and it just shouldn’t be happening. We have an obligation to make the roads as safe as possible for all road users that’s why I and my fellow signatories were more than happy to table this motion.”

Welcoming this support, Richard Olliffe, the BMF’s Government Relations Executive said: “The fact that its been tabled indicates that a number of MP's consider the KillSpills Campaign relevant and important in highlighting diesel spills issue. It is early days yet but the more MPs we can now get to sign the EDM, the better it is for motorcycling and the more we shall be taken note of. I urge all motorcyclists to lobby their MPs* on this issue.”

This is the latest initiative in the campaign to get diesel spillage taken seriously, culminating in the KillSpills Rally to be held on 9th September. This will take the form of a mass ride from the Ace Cafe London, on London’s North Circular Road, to the Houses of Parliament. Metropolitan Police motorcyclists will escort the ride with assistance from KillSpills marshals.

A delegation from the KillSpills organising team and the BMF will call at 10 Downing Street to present Prime Minister Tony Blair with an action plan and a third-year anniversary card signed by thousands of motorcyclists.

Supported by its preferred insurance provider Bennetts, the BMF has also provided a KillSpills achievement award to be presented on the day by the KillSpills team to the company who has done most to reduce the risk of diesel spills from their vehicles. Last year ASDA Distribution won the award.

Now in its third year, the KillSpills Rally last year attracted over 2,500 concerned riders, graphic proof that the danger of spilt diesel on our roads is high on the agenda of the motorcycling community.

THE KILLSPILLS 8 POINT ACTION PLAN:

1. Warning signs should be displayed at service stations informing diesel users of the dangers of overfilling diesel tanks or not refitting the filler cap correctly.

2. The Highway Code should highlight the dangers of spilt diesel and publicise the penalties of spilling diesel on the public highway

3. The THINK! Campaign should be used to get the diesel spill message across: “Think! - Diesel Spills Can Kill”

4. Lobby for European wide resolution to ensure that future generations of commercial vehicles have anti-spill devices fitted as standard

5. Government Departments and Local Authorities to lead by example, ensuring that their drivers are fully briefed about the dangers of overfilling a diesel tank or not refitting the filler cap correctly

6. Introduce a general Road Safety Hotline that the public can use to report diesel spills and other road safety issues

7. Publish statistics on the reasons prohibition notices are served on commercial vehicles

8. Diesel spills are recognised as a hazard in the Department for Transport Network Management Duty Guidance, but there are no Home Office guidelines to the emergency services relating to treatment of diesel spillage. This should be corrected as part of joined-up government.

KillSpills London Rally, Saturday 9th September.

Ride assembles at 11.00hrs starts at 13.00 hrs at the Ace Cafe London, North Circular Road.

Full details on the rally, ride-in points, a poster download and how to buy an official KillSpills T- shirt, can all be found on www.bmf.co.uk or go direct to www.killspills.org.uk

ENDS

Issued by Jeff Stone: t: 0121 709 1040 m: 07802 763094 e: jeff.stone@bmf.co.uk

Details on this and other BMF activities can also be found on our web site: http://www.bmf.co.uk

Go here to sign the Early Day Motion:

http://campaign.publicaffairsbriefing.co.u...e7-01c8725e9407