New charges "will increase car dumping"

12.00.00am GMT Sat 18th Jan 2003

Liberal Democrats have warned that new charges to collect used cars will lead to an increase in the number of abandoned cars, with the local environment deteriorating as a result.

Previously car owners could have their car collected for free by the Council if they wanted it disposed of, providing that they had a valid logbook. From next year, however, charges will be introduced for the Council to collect the cars under the proposal agreed by the Environment Portfolio Holder. A charge will also be levied on residents who have been the victims of someone dumping cars on their properties.

The Liberal Democrat Spokesman on the Environment, Cllr Bob Shekyls, has attacked the plans, calling them "crazy."

"These charges can only lead to an increase in cars being abandoned across the Borough," he said. "This is a service which the Council ought to be providing as it goes hand in hand with the aim of keeping the number of abandoned cars as low as possible. I am also concerned about the new charges that will also apply to landowners who have cars dumped on their land. Asking local residents to pay because someone else has done something illegal seems a nonsense to me."