DAVEY INITIATIVE LEADS TO GOVERNMENT ACTION ON ABANDONED CARS

6.11.01

Edward Davey, Kingston and Surbiton's Liberal Democrat MP, this week welcomed the Governments new proposals to deal with the blight of abandoned cars in Kingston, but vowed to continue his three year campaign for tougher, swifter action against the hundreds of cars abandoned on Kingston Borough.

The proposals unveiled on Wednesday 31st October by Secretary of State Steven Byers reflect Edward Davey's own frequent calls for reform of current legislation and practices. In the last Parliament Mr Davey tabled questions and spoke in debates, urging reform.

Time restrictions, which can force local councils to wait over one month before disposing of wrecks, could now be cut to just twenty four hours. In addition, Edward Davey's calls for modernisation of the Driver and Vehicles Licensing Agency's (DVLA) monitoring and registration systems have been heeded. It can currently take up to three months for Kingston Council to wait for confirmation of the details of the owner of an abandoned vehicle from the DVLA.

Edward Davey commented:

'I have been campaigning for these changes for three years, and so welcome the Government's belated recognition of the dangers associated with abandoned cars.

'Indeed, there were nearly 700 in my constituency alone last year. These are dangerous and a nuisance to local residents.

'But without an increase in Government funding, local councils will not be able to deal effectively with the problem, even with these new powers. If the councils cannot hit the current time limits, what makes Ministers so sure they can hit shorter ones?

'The next stage of my campaign is to ensure that there is new funding to match the rhetoric, and keep up the pressure on Kingston Council to deliver locally.'