Abandoned car numbers crash
- Published: 12 August 2008 12:39
- Author: Robin Latchem
- More by this Author
- Last Updated: 12 August 2008 12:39
Reports of abandoned cars across England have fallen 72% in the past four years, new LGA figures show.
In 2003 councils had to clear up an average of 800 abandoned vehicles each day but last year this fell to 225.
Council leaders say a combination of tough enforcement by local authorities, new rules deterring would-be car dumpers and high scrap metal prices have all led to the big drop in the number of wrecks left on streets.
The largest fall came in the East Midlands with 84%, followed by the East of England (80%), the South West (77%), the South East (75%) and the North East (70%)
Blaby DC boasts the best improvement for individual council areas - 99% - followed by South Buckinghamshire DC (97%), Maidstone BC (95%), Suffolk Coastal DC (95%) and Hillingdon LBC (94%).
Paul Bettison, chairman of the LGA environment board, said: "A triple whammy of cracking down on would-be dumpers, quicker clearing up by councils and soaring metal prices are helping to win the battle against unsightly old bangers being left on our streets.
"People tell us that these eyesores make them feel unsafe in their own neighbourhood and figures like these show councils up and down the country are working hard to make people feel safe and secure."
He added that councils were playing an important role by listening to the concerns of local people and reacting accordingly.
"More than 250 councils have signed up to the Local Government Association's Reputation campaign which says that
councils should aim to clear up abandoned vehicles within 24 hours. These eyesores attract crime and the public rightly expects them to be removed quickly.
"If anyone sees an abandoned vehicle, they can call their council who will send someone out to deal with it quickly and efficiently."
