It has now been over four months that the abandoned Blue Ford Focus has darkened our streets..
After many calls and emails with the local council and local police we are no closer to moving this car! Yet, somebody from the council as been out and moved the yellow sticker in recent days. What a waste of time and money.
They have done this because the police state that it is not an abandoned vehicle.
The vehicle excise Act 1994 states that an offence exists if the EXCISE LICENCE MUST BE FIXED TO AND EXHIBITED ON THE VEHICLE IN A MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE REGULATIONS AND MUST BE CLEARLY VISIBLE FROM THE NEARSIDE OF THE ROAD.
This car is tax but the tax disc is not visible. Unfortunatley this is only a fixed penalty, with a fine of £100.
The police have the power to immediately remove any vehicle that is left abandoned in breach of local traffic regulation orders. They can also remove a vehicle that is causing an obstruction or is likely to cause a danger.
Looks like we are stuck with it for a few more months.
This is the low level of anti-social behaviour that we all hear about. Its not the end of the world but its bloody frustrating!
Its time for some good old direct action!!!
Count me in for some direct action. How can a car be “parked” for 4 months and not be abandoned? This is not a village car. At the very least it should be off the street and in a car park, but then it would breach the no overnight parking rule! I bet if it was parked outside a county councillor’s house it would have been moved by now!
Following telephone calls and correspondence to both the Police, District and County Councils, the latest position is that technically, the vehicle is not abandoned, despite the notice which was originally posted. This is because it is taxed until the end of July and we understand that the Police do not have the power to remove it as it is legally parked and not causing a danger or obstruction, simply a nuisance. We have been advised by our County Councillor that if on the 31st July the car tax is not renewed, a 7 or 10 day notice will be placed on the windscreen and the car will be moved at the time the notice runs out. This matter will be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting on 29th June and a course of action decided and agreed. We would encourage parishioners who are affected to attend.
Removed at last!