Transport chiefs today withdrew advice telling motorists to “only stop at petrol stations or motorway service stations if you really need to” as Covid-19 cases rise.
New “easy read” travel guidance from the Department for Transport wrongly include this phrase due to a “drafting error”.
The more detailed full guidance is more nuanced, stating: “Limit the time you spend at garages, petrol stations and motorway services. Try to keep your distance from other people and if possible pay by contactless”.
The DfT said the easy read guidance wrongly oversimplified that and would be amended.
It added that petrol stations and motorway service areas are “vital” in providing a safe place for motorists to stop, refuel and take a short break from driving.
Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association, said: “We noted the misleading advice from the Dept for Transport for travellers... this regrettable error was quickly raised with Government and DfT fully accepted that the wording in their new booklet was not appropriate.”
