Dumped car numbers drop significantly

The blight of abandoned cars that plague quiet backstreets and public areas is on the decline.

Numbers of abandoned cars have dropped significantly, new figures over the past four years across England seeing a 72 per cent drop.

Council leaders suggest that a combination of tougher enforcement, new rules and higher scrap metal prices have all helped lead to the huge drop in wrecks being left on the streets.

In 2003 councils had to remove around 800 vehicles a year, today that figure being around 225 cars.

Some areas have seen drops in excess of 90%, soaring scrap metal prices thought to be helping in clearing the streets of abandoned cars.

A few years ago people wanting to dispose of old cars were having to pay for them to be taken away, but with scrap metal prices increasing your old banger could be worth up to £1,000.

Cllr Paul Bettison, Chairman of the Environment board at the Local Government Association, said: "A triple whammy of cracking down on would be dumpers, quicker clearing up by councils and soaring metal prices are helping to win the battle against unsightly old bangers being left on our streets."

Kyle Fortune