Credit Crunch takes it toll on Abandoned vehicle figures

THE number of abandoned cars cleared from Thurrock streets has dropped by 90 per cent in the past four years.

Councillor Steve Veryard, Cabinet member in charge of Street Services, announced the success during the full council meeting yesterday.

In 2003 the council removed 2,796 abandoned vehicles, but this dropped to 292 last year.

Councillor Veryard said: “A triple whammy of cracking down on would-be dumpers with tougher enforcement action, quicker removal of dumped vehicles and soaring metal prices are helping to win the battle against unsightly abandoned cars.

“Thurrock Council will deal with any vehicles reported as abandoned on local roads or property. The vehicle will be removed if it is causing a public nuisance, if it is untaxed, or if it hasn’t been removed by the owner in line with a sticker placed on the vehicle.”

He warned: “There’s no room for complacency.

“We will continue to be doing all we can to make sure cars aren’t dumped on our streets and are removed. This is a top priority.”