DAVEY INITIATIVE WINS GOVERNMENT BACKING IN FIGHT AGAINST ABANDONED CARS Government Ministers have just announced plans to help fight the abandoned car epidemic in Britain and Kingston & Surbiton in response to written parliamentary questions tabled by local Liberal Democrat MP, Edward Davey. The growing problem was first highlighted in the Commons by Mr Davey last year when he asked for the Government to meet with local authorities to discuss possible solutions. He also asked for the number of abandoned cars taken away each year by local authorities and the associated costs to be monitored. At the time Ministers refused both requests.* However, the responses to this year’s questions show that Ministers did act on Mr Davey’s concerns. During 2000, a major study was undertaken and new guidelines are to be issued to the police and local authorities to resolve the confusion that exists governing who is responsible for removing abandoned cars. Furthermore, a new electronic link between the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and local authorities is being established to reduce massively the amount of time it takes for Councils to be notified of the vehicle owners’ details.** Commenting on the Government’s positive response, Edward Davey said, "It is clear to anyone that the problem with abandoned cars has got out of hand that’s why I have raised it repeatedly in Parliament. Although the Government delayed last year, I am pleased that Ministers have now reacted positively to my concerns." "The new guidelines should greatly reduce delays caused by the police and the council trying to establish who is responsible for dealing with an abandoned vehicle." "Furthermore, the current lengthy delays councils experience whilst waiting for confirmation of who owns a vehicle will be dramatically reduced once this electronic link with the DVLA is installed." "I will closely monitor the progress made with this proposed electronic link up and hope that Kingston Council will soon be able to improve their performance." Notes 1. According to Kingston council officers, the council were only notified of 78 abandoned cars in 1994-95 which they then took away. This rose to 697 abandoned cars in 1999-00. So far this year, over 500 cars have been reported and taken away with a further 500 logged with the DVLA for future action. 2. It can currently take up to two months for Kingston Council to wait for confirmation of an abandoned vehicle owner’s details from the DVLA. |
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