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Abandoned Vehicles

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Summary

An abandoned vehicle is a vehicle in the open air or on a highway which does not appear to have a known owner. It is not simply a vehicle which is a nuisance, is untaxed or is obstrucing or dangerously parked on the public highway. A taxed vehicle may still be abandoned.

The decision whether or not a vehicle is judged to be abandoned rests with the authorised officers of the local authority.

You may contact the Police if the vehicle is causing an obstruction or is dangerous.

You may contact Highways Services if a car is causing a nuisance by being parked on a grass verge.

Eligibility

To anyone who witnesses and wishes to report an abandoned vehicle.

Procedure

On receipt of a complaint, an officer will check their records to see if the vehicle is already being dealt with, or has been dealt with before. This presumes that a correct location, description and registration mark (often not possible if vehicle is burnt out) is supplied by the complainant. If on council land or highway and burnt out, an order will be placed for its immediate removal.

In other cases, a visit will be made and the vehicle inspected. If a decision is made that the vehicle is abandoned, an order is placed for its removal, after which it is taken away. The officer will also note damage, and any visible property etc in it. Enquiries into whether or not a vehicle is abandoned may take a little time, if not immediately obvious. If the vehicle is fit only for destruction, it will then be destroyed. In other cases where the vehicle may have some value, attempts are made to ascertain the owner and a 7 day notice served on them, requesting that they arrange to collect it from the storage compound (there is a charge for this). After this time, however, it can be disposed of or destroyed, if not collected.

If the vehicle is abandoned on private land, the land occupier must be given a 15 day notice before it can be removed (waiver available) and can only be removed if the occupier does not object within this time.

The officer will advise the complainant of the action taken (if it is not immediately obvious that the vehicle has been removed), explaining why it cannot be moved, if that is the case.

On return to the office, once the vehicle has been removed, the Officer will complete other forms which will be sent to DVLA, Hire Purchase Information and the Police.

In certain circumstances, the person who has abandoned a vehicle will face legal action. This can include the issuing of a fixed penalty notice to them, and/or prosecution.

If you own a car that you wish to get rid of, the Team can arrange to remove it & have it destroyed at no cost to you. All you need to do is phone up, complete a form that will be sent to you, and produce the vehicle's log book upon collection. The contractor will normally contact you to make arrangements to remove the vehicle within 3 working days of the completed form being received back and checked by the officer.

Helplines

Regulatory Services, Environmental Control Team: 01226 772468.
Email: Regulatory Services

Charges/Fees

No charge to report someone else's abandoned vehicle.

Offenders found guilty of the offence of abandoning a motor vehicle can face a fixed penalty of £200 and / or a fine of up to £2500.00.

Opening Times/Locations

Our office at the Civic Hall on Eldon Street, Barnsley, is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

How the customer can help

When you contact the Service, please have the following information on hand:

Precise location of Vehicle (e.g. outside 10 Station Road)
Make and Model
Colour
Registration Number (if known)
Is the vehicle Taxed? (if known)
How long it has been there?
Possible owner details of the vehicle
Any damage to the vehicle, or other information that makes you suspect the vehicle is abandoned

Application Forms

To voluntarily surrender your vehicle for destruction, there is a "Voluntary Vehicle Surrender Form" to complete. Contact the Service to arrange for one to be sent to you.

Leaflets

None.

Distribution Points

Not applicable.

Legislation

Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978
Highways Act 1980
Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986 (as amended 1993)
Removal, Storage and Disposal of Vehicles (Prescribed Sums and Charges) Regulations 1989
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005

Response Times/Next Steps

Once a decision has been made that the vehicle is abandoned, the Council endeavours to remove it as soon as possible.

If the vehicle is on land, however, we must serve a 15 day notice on the land occupier before removal (waiver available), and must have their permission to remove it.

If it would be unreasonably expensive to remove a vehicle, it will not be moved by the Council.

Out of hours procedure

No out of hours procedure for this service.

Owner Officer contact details

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Regulatory Services
PO Box 602
Barnsley
S70 9FB
Phone: Regulatory Services 01226 772468
Email: Regulatory Services
Fax: (01226) 775699

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Where can I get rid of my old car?

A At present, you can contact the Service, as above, if you live in Barnsley. The Service can arrange for their contractor to remove your vehicle for disposal, from your property, at no cost to you.

Alternatively, look in the Yellow Pages under "Car & Commercial Vehicle Dismantlers". Only sites licenced to accept "End of Life Vehicles" will be able to accept your vehicle. You could also contact the Environment Agency for advice on where you could take your car, on 08708 506506.

Q How much will it cost?

A If the Council's contractor arranges to take away your unwanted vehicle, there is no cost to you. Disposing of it yourself, it depends on current market forces. However, any charge will be much less than the £2,500 you could be fined if it is abandoned.

You can also complete our online form for advice to report Abandoned Vehicles