Slough residents complain about rise in abandoned vehicles

The problem-reporting software FixMyStreet acts as a bridge between residents and local authorities, providing a platform to report issues such as potholes, flooding and flytipping.

However, in more recent weeks, residents have taken to it to report abandoned and untaxed vehicles.

A Blue Volkswagen CC has been reported abandoned on Blackpond Lane since December 5 reportedly taxed, MOT'd but uninsured.

Another report mentions two cars, a black mini and a Mercedes, having been abandoned for a "long time" in Corfe Gardens, with concerns raised around open petrol canisters in the rear of the vehicle.

On Trenches Lane in Langley, a damaged pickup truck has been called "dangerous". 

The report on FixMyStreet stated: "Its motor and gearbox are missing, has been left on the footpath in a dangerous position so you cannot walk along the footpath."

Slough Borough Council said: "Often residents report cars as abandoned because they are parked outside their homes for a period of time, however, the council can only take action in certain situations.

"The judgement on if a car is, or appears, abandoned is made by our officers.

"This is done by examining the car and looking at its condition, flat tyres, broken windows, debris built up around the car where it hasn’t moved etc.

"If it is considered abandoned, they will instruct for the vehicle to be removed."

The council is obligated to respond to reports of abandoned vehicles and remove them under the Refuse Disposal Amenity Act 1978.

Guidance on parking highlights how vehicles should be left lawfully, which means holding a valid tax and MOT.

If a vehicle is parked without tax then it is legally required to be declared as SORN to the DVLA.

A SORN vehicle may not be kept on the public highway and must be stored on private land.

A vehicle parked without tax is the responsibility of the DVLA to enforce.

Slough Borough Council added: "Vehicles which have been involved in traffic collisions and are awaiting their insurance company to collect them are also a common complaint.

"These vehicles can be recovered as they are on the road in a dangerous condition, with damaged panels and missing parts which may cause injury to the public.

"Vehicles in such condition should not be stored on the public highway and may be removed without notice by the council."

Many abandoned cars have been left on the outskirts of Slough, falling into the Buckinghamshire Council area.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment at Buckinghamshire Council said: “Once a report is submitted we start a formalised process to determine if the vehicle has been genuinely abandoned.

"This can take a period of some weeks and requires ongoing monitoring. Only once a conclusion has been reached that the reported vehicle is abandoned can we authorise removal and destruction which is carried out by our contractor.

"There has been an increase in reports of abandoned vehicles in recent times, however this is not a localised problem and is being seen across the country as a whole.”