Council takes action on abandoned vehicles

Wiltshire Council has successfully prosecuted a man from London for abandoning his vehicle on the A303.

The case was heard at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Friday, 13th June, and was proven in his absence.  He was fined a total of £2,869, including costs and compensation.

In July 2024, the council received multiple reports about an abandoned Skoda Octavia on the A303 near Cholderton. Upon inspection, the vehicle was found to be untaxed and had a note in the windscreen stating that it was broken down, along with a phone number. Officers called the number and spoke to a man who identified himself as the owner and stated that he would be moving the vehicle within 24 hours.

When officers returned two days later, the vehicle was still in situ, still untaxed and showed evidence of rusty brake discs and was covered in debris. A seven-day abandoned vehicle removal notice was issued and posted on the windscreen of the vehicle.

Following a DVLA check, the owner was identified as Mr Jeremy Lopes of Park Avenue, Southall, Ealing. He was contacted by Environmental Enforcement Officers and notified of the charges involved in reclaiming the vehicle and the disposal costs if not reclaimed. He was also issued with a fixed penalty notice of £200 for abandoning the vehicle. To date, this remains unpaid, resulting in the court prosecution.

Officers must follow an assessment process for abandoned vehicles. This includes determining if the vehicle has one of a combination of factors, such as being untaxed, no valid MOT certificate, flat tyres, being un-roadworthy or stationary for a period of time. As no removal was made by the owner within the required timescale, the vehicle was removed by the council and taken to a secure compound.

Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding, said: “Our Environmental Enforcement Officers investigate every report of abandoned vehicles. Most are removed by the owners when we contact them, but for those that have been truly abandoned, we will seek to issue fixed penalties or prosecute to protect our public highways or land.

“We want to take responsibility for the environment and protect Wiltshire’s beautiful countryside and scenic views. Abandoning a vehicle is not only a criminal offence, but it can also attract vandalism and rubbish, potentially having a negative effect on our visitors and residents. There is also a cost to Wiltshire taxpayers for having it removed. I hope this case shows that we take the abandoning of vehicles seriously and will act to deter people from considering doing this in the future.”