|
 The number of abandoned vehicles (dumped cars, vans and other vehicles) continues to be a problem throughout the country and Babergh is no exception. Between April 2007 and March 2008 290 vehicles were reported as abandoned, with 49 of these being removed and destroyed. Many of the reported vehicles were untaxed or nuisance vehicles.
It is a criminal offence to abandon a motor vehicle, or any part of a motor vehicle on any land in the open air or any highway – this can lead to a fine of up to £2,500 and/or 3 months in prison. Alternatively, a fixed penalty notice may be issued which gives the opportunity to make a one-off payment of £200.
The procedure for dealing with abandoned vehicles is governed by legislation, particularly the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
Downloadable Nuisance and Abandoned Vehicles - a guide for the public (PDF, 431Kb)
Quick links:
It is the duty of a Local Authority to remove vehicles which appear to have been abandoned subject to the provisions laid down in the above named Acts. Babergh officers take the following factors into account when deciding whether a vehicle has been abandoned:
- The length of time the vehicle has been in its current position
- The overall condition, age and appearance of the vehicle
- The display of a valid tax disc (or SORN if on private land)
- The presence of a number plate
- Apparent roadworthiness
- Security
- Proximity of the vehicle to the registered address of the last registered keeper.
Vehicles which are simply untaxed are not abandoned vehicles. The DVLA has powers to take enforcement action against owners of untaxed vehicles.
If a vehicle is on private land, Babergh must give the occupier of the land 15 days notice before they remove it – this notice is stuck to the vehicle. If the occupier of the land objects to the vehicle being removed then Babergh cannot remove the vehicle.
For highways and public land, notice periods are 7 days, 24 hours or, in exceptional cicrumstances, immediately if the vehicle is in a dangerous condition.
Removed vehicles are kept for 7 days for their owners to reclaim them before being destroyed. The registered keeper (according to the DVLA database) is charged the statutory fees of £105 for removal of a vehicle and £50 for disposal of a vehicle.
How Do Babergh District Council Arrange the Removal of Abandoned Vehicles?
- If you would like to report an abandoned vehicle please call 01473 825889 with as much information as possible about the make of vehicle, registration number, exact location and your name and address. Or use One Suffolk's Report a Problem facility.
- Reports of abandoned vehicles are logged onto a database computer system and the registrations are checked instantly with the Driving Vehicle and Licensing Agency (DVLA) to ascertain registered keeper details. The council has a linked computer system to do this. All vehicle details are also passed to Suffolk Police HQ in case they have been used in crime.
- Attempts are made to contact the keeper, by letter or a visit, to determine if the vehicle is genuinely abandoned (a number of reports are in fact parking disputes rather than abandoned vehicles).
- The vehicle is inspected, a checklist completed and photographs taken to determine if the vehicle has been abandoned. If, in the opinion of the council, the vehicle is abandoned, a notice is served. This gives the owner an opportunity to claim/remove the vehicle.
- Once the notice period has passed the vehicle is removed and destroyed on behalf of Suffolk County Council. The prescribed costs are passed to the registered keeper – these are £105 for the removal for a vehicle and an additional £50 for its destruction.
The Environmental ProtectionTeam works closely with a number of other of organisations. Successful speedy removal of abandoned vehicles depends on access to accurate information. These processes are subject to prescribed periods and the availability of information from other agencies.
Nuisance VehiclesThe Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act 2005 sets out two specific ‘nuisance vehicles’ offences. These are:
- Leaving 2 or more motor vehicles parked within 500m of each other on a road/roads where they are advertised for sale as part of a business
- Repairing a motor vehicle on the road as part of a business/for gain, or repairing a motor vehicle on the road which is causing annoyance to people in the vicinity. The exception to this offence is if the vehicle is being repaired within 72 hours of an accident and breakdown and repairs on the road are necessary
The Environmental Protection Team will investigate reports of nuisance vehicles to establish whether an offence is being committed.
Report an Abandoned VehiclePlease contact us to report a suspected abandoned vehicle, providing us with as much information as possible about the vehicle, its location and your name and address.
|