General facts:
Abandoned vehicles are an environmental hazard, represent a danger to the public (especially children), create a magnet for crime and blight our communities.Abandoned vehicles create problems not only for councils but also for the police and the fire service.
Burnt out Vehicles are also carcinogenic and hazardous to health.
Many vehicles which are reported as abandoned to the council may be :
- Untaxed
- Unregistered
- Stolen, or
- Involved with crime
To Identify what may be an abandoned vehicle check for the following things:
- Are the windows broken?
- Is the vehicle damaged in any way i.e. dented side panels?
- Has the vehicle been in the same place for a long period of time?
- Does the vehicle have flat tyres?
How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
- Take as many details of the vehicle as possible:- registration, make/model, the date and year on the tax disc, condition of the vehicle and how long it’s been there
- Make sure the vehicle is in fact abandoned!
- Call Wyre Forest District Council on (01562) 732928 or fill in the online form
- When giving the officer the vehicles details make sure you have the exact location, to help us find the vehicle quickly.
What happens next?
- Our enforcement officer will inspect the vehicle, and assess its condition.
- If the vehicle is abandoned it will be removed and held for safe-keeping until the registered owner is contacted.
- However if the vehicle is roadworthy our Enforcement Officer will affix a 24 hour notice on the vehicle.
- Once we have the registered owners details the officer will send a letter to give the owner 7 days notice to reclaim the vehicle. The charges for this are also included on the letter
Charges
Abandoning a vehicle within the Wyre Forest area now carries a £200.00 Fixed Penalty Notice
The charges to retrieve an abandoned vehicle which has been impounded are :-- £113.00 incl. VAT for the release of the vehicle, plus
- £13.25 incl. VAT per day for storage
If a vehicle is not abandoned but has no up-to-date tax displayed the Council
will remove the vehicle to a pound for safe keeping for Seven days. The Owner will be contacted by the authority. If nothing
is heard within the Seven day waiting time the vehicle will be destroyed under the Refuse Amenity Act 1978.
Disposal of Vehicles
If you wish to dispose of your old vehicle legally you can ring Kidderminster Car Dismantlers on 01562 732928 who will upon recivieving the vehicle will issue you with a Certificate of Distruction.
