This guide provides a brief description of the functioning of fuel forecourts, in particular the retail facilities used for the fuelling of road vehicles.

It is intended as a general guide to the hidden infrastructure and associated ground contamination that may be present and is aimed at those planning to carry out groundworks or redevelopment activities involving ground disturbance at such sites.

The guide applies primarily to those sites that have fallen out of use and which are being assessed and prepared for new purposes.

EPIC is a challenge-led community presented by the IES and Environmental Protection UK. It acts as a forum and centre of excellence for local authorities and others who are implementing environmental protection policy at the front line.

As a knowledge hub for the dissemination of best practice, EPIC builds upon the expertise of its members, including those with first-hand knowledge of the practical problems involved.

This guidance was first produced by Environmental Protection UK (EPUK) in 2020 and was re-issued in 2023 following the merger of EPUK into the IES family, which resulted in the creation of the Environmental Policy Implementation Comunity (EPIC).