PETROL forecourts and storage sites across Suffolk are set for stringent new safeguards designed to protect the public, countryside and wildlife.An agreement has been struck between Suffolk County Council's trading standards department and the Environment Agency to work together on improving safety.

PETROL forecourts and storage sites across Suffolk are set for stringent new safeguards designed to protect the public, countryside and wildlife.

An agreement has been struck between Suffolk County Council's trading standards department and the Environment Agency to work together on improving safety.

The news comes just three weeks after The Evening Star revealed an undercover operation at petrol stations across Suffolk had highlighted shocking lapses in safety.

The Suffolk Trading Standards investigation showed 85 per cent of sites tested broke the law and allowed trading standards officers to obtain petrol in unapproved, dangerous containers.

The news is designed to tighten up safety in places where petrol is stored and sold, including at the 750 petrol pumps in Suffolk.

Peter Monk, of the county council, said: "It makes perfect sense for the county council and Environment Agency to join forces to protect the public and our environment.

"We already have a good working relationship and this agreement cements this. A little extra work on the ground by officers will reap huge benefits for our wider work on petrol."

Fuel storage sites near drinking water bore holes and places of environmental concern will be closely monitored for leaks, with any information shared between the bodies.

Petrol forecourts across Suffolk will also be risk assessed by both the Environment Agency and trading standards.

It is thought there is around 50 million litres of petrol stored in Suffolk at any given time.

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