a guide to improving your local environment - Keep Britain Tidy

www.encams.org
• Does the vehicle contain items of waste,
for example tyres
• Does the vehicle have a number plate
• Do local householders, businesses, councillors or
the police know how long the vehicle has been there
and do they have any knowledge of who
owned/abandoned it
Responsibilities and powers
Local Authorities
• Where the local authority is also the relevant Waste
Collection Authority it is its responsibility to remove
abandoned and nuisance vehicles in conjunction with
the police and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
(DVLA). This therefore applies to district and unitary
councils, but not county councils
ABANDONED
VEHICLES
• Local Planning Authorities have the power to serve a
notice in cases where there are activities detrimental
to the amenity of the area. However, this is a lengthy
process and is not often used (Town and Country
Planning Act 1990, s.215).
Highways Authority
• Has the power to give notice to remove anything from
the highway that may cause a nuisance (Highways Act
1980, s.149 [1 and 2])
• Has the power to remove anything from the highway
that may constitute a danger, including items that
would obstruct the view of other highway users such
as vehicles (Highways Act 1980, s.149 [1 and 2])
Police
• A police constable has the power to remove any
vehicle on a road or on any land that appears to have
been abandoned without lawful authority (Removal,
Storage and Disposal of Vehicle Regulations 1986)
Individuals
• Should dispose of cars responsibly, e.g. to a registered
Authorised Treatment Facility or to the local authority
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