Wiltshire Council has issued a £200 fixed penalty notice (FPN) to the registered keeper of a van abandoned on Chopping Knife Lane in Marlborough.
The vehicle was first reported to the Council’s Environmental Enforcement Team on 24 December last year, and over the following days the council received a further 16 complaints from local residents concerned about its condition and location.
When officers investigated, they found the van in poor condition, with an expired MOT and clear indications that it had been left without intention to return. A seven-day removal notice was placed on the windscreen, in line with national guidance.
A follow up inspection in early January confirmed that the van had not been moved. The Council authorised its removal and the vehicle was transported to secure storage. The registered keeper was notified of the recovery and associated costs and later collected the vehicle. A £200 FPN for abandoning a vehicle was issued and has since been paid in full.
Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding, said: “Our teams respond swiftly to reports of abandoned vehicles because they can pose safety risks, attract vandalism and adversely affect the local area. In this case, we received a high number of complaints from residents, and we’re grateful to the community for reporting their concerns.
“Officers acted quickly to assess the situation, remove the vehicle and take appropriate enforcement action. Most vehicle owners cooperate with us when contacted, but where a vehicle has clearly been left without care or intention to reclaim it, we will not hesitate to take action to keep Wiltshire’s roads and public spaces safe and well maintained.
“It’s also important to remind residents that vehicles causing an obstruction fall under Police responsibility, not the councils. Obstructions should be reported to the Police via 101.”
Local authorities use a range of indicators to decide if a vehicle has been abandoned. A vehicle is more likely to be considered abandoned if one or more of the following applies:
- It has no registered keeper on the DVLA database
- It is untaxed
- It has remained stationary for a significant period of time
- It is damaged, run down, or unroadworthy – for example, flat tyres, missing wheels or broken windows
- It has been burned out
- It has a missing number plate
Abandoned vehicles can pose risks to public safety, contribute to environmental harm and detract from the appearance of local communities. Where officers cannot be certain a vehicle has been abandoned, the council will not issue a notice or proceed with removal.
Under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005, abandoning a vehicle is a criminal offence. Offenders may be prosecuted and face fines of up to £2,500, or they may be issued with a £200 fixed penalty notice.
People can find information on how to report or claim an abandoned vehicle at: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/parking-abandoned-vehicle
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