A crackdown on vehicles left on the roadside for sale or as makeshift advertising boards is to be rolled out across the County. The County Council, Durham Constabulary and the DVLA have been targeting vehicles abandoned in the Chester-le-Street and Stanley areas following concerns from local residents and councillors. The initiative, which has seen 10 cars removed or clamped so far, has proved so successful that it is to be rolled out across the county.
Dave Wilcox, Durham County Council’s strategic highways manager, said: “Cars, vans or bikes left at the side of the road are a nuisance for a number of reasons. They can attract anti-social behaviour and be a distraction for drivers, causing accidents. Having been unsuccessful in contacting the owners of many of the vehicles, this operation lets them know that we will take action against them.”
Under the scheme, warning stickers are placed on offending cars, vans and motorcycles advising that the vehicles are under investigation. MOT, tax and insurance checks are then carried out on all vehicles, while the police determine whether the vehicle can be classed as causing an obstruction or a danger.
During the most recent operation, four vehicles were removed in East Stanley – two from a car park and two more from a lay-by. The owner of a fifth vehicle, which had been left for sale in the lay-by, was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice. In Chester-le-Street, one vehicle was removed from Whitehills Way, an £80 fine was issued for a untaxed vehicle left on the highway and officers are speaking to the owners of two caravans left on the roadside.
