More cars dumped in street

Last year, 601 cars were dumped and, based on the past, the council expects that to rise to more than 900 for 2001-02.

A report to next Tuesday's cabinet meeting says that the council now has an officer working full-time on the problem which meant other tasks, such as dealing with fly-tipping, were taking longer.

Only 10pc of the vehicles needed urgent action because they were dangerous, burnt out or obstructive, and council intervention resulted in 81pc of vehicles being removed within seven days.

Now the government has produced a consultation document to tackle what is becoming a nationwide problem. It proposes that local authorities should reduce the notice periods for removal and it wants to give them powers to remove those which have no tax.

But the guidance also states: "Local authorities will have to make a judgement between the benefits of removing these vehicles more quickly and the disadvantage that hasty action might result in claims against them."

In the case of vehicles the authorities consider have no value, 24-hour notices would replace the current seven days before they are destroyed.

The present 21-day notices would be reduced to between seven and 14 for other vehicles abandoned on roads.

Unlicensed vehicles could be destroyed, depending on their condition, between seven and 35 days after their discovery.

The government also intends to give authorities the technology to check on-line for registered owners.

Mr Jim Lilico, the council's pollution and regulation manager, welcomed most of the suggestions, but said that taking on the role of contractor for clamping and removing unlicensed vehicles would be more problematic. It would be a new role for local authorities and would need to be adequately financed. There would have to be extra money for extra staff."

He told the D&S Times: "I think the reason so many cars are abandoned now is that their life value goes down and down to virtually zero."