Crackdown on wrecks
Thursday, 27th April 2000.
A crackdown on illegally dumped cars is to take place after a large increase in the number of abandoned vehicles.
St Edmundsbury Borough Council is taking action after the increase, mostly in Haverhill and Bury St Edmunds. The council believes the drop in scrap metal prices and the ending of leaded petrol are the two main causes of the problem. The council has legal powers to deal with untaxed cars abandoned in poor condition and left on a road, car park or private land. The lengthy and costly legal process includes tracing the owner and servicing notices before the council can dispose of the vehicle.
Now if a vehicle is found dumped the £155 cost will be passed on to the owner. Alternatively, the
owner can ask the council to dispose of the car at a flat rate of £25.
Coun John Wayman, chairman of the council's Transport and Works Committee, said owners could choose.
"Abandoned cars are an ugly blot on the landscape, left there by selfish owners who do not care about the dangers they pose or their impact on the environment", he said.
"I do not see why Council Tax payers should be expected to pay for the removal of those vehicles so we will be chasing the owners to make sure they pay in full for their unsocial behaviour.
St Edmundsbury Borough Council is taking action after the increase, mostly in Haverhill and Bury St Edmunds. The council believes the drop in scrap metal prices and the ending of leaded petrol are the two main causes of the problem. The council has legal powers to deal with untaxed cars abandoned in poor condition and left on a road, car park or private land. The lengthy and costly legal process includes tracing the owner and servicing notices before the council can dispose of the vehicle.
Now if a vehicle is found dumped the £155 cost will be passed on to the owner. Alternatively, the
owner can ask the council to dispose of the car at a flat rate of £25.
Coun John Wayman, chairman of the council's Transport and Works Committee, said owners could choose.
"Abandoned cars are an ugly blot on the landscape, left there by selfish owners who do not care about the dangers they pose or their impact on the environment", he said.
"I do not see why Council Tax payers should be expected to pay for the removal of those vehicles so we will be chasing the owners to make sure they pay in full for their unsocial behaviour.
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