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Abandoned vehicles - background information

Salisbury District Council removes hundreds of abandoned vehicles from the highway and public land each year. We aim to do this responsibly, quickly and cost-effectively. Vehicles abandoned on private or other land can also be removed with the co-operation of the landowner or agent.

Having determined that a vehicle is abandoned, enquiries are made with the DVLA to find out who was the last registered owner. In most cases a notice is either affixed to the vehicle for seven days or sent to the registered owner giving them an opportunity to remove the vehicle. If the vehicle is still on site when the notice expires the vehicle is removed and destroyed. If an abandoned vehicle is considered to be particularly hazardous or causing an obstruction to traffic it may be removed without notice.

The contractor currently engaged by the council to remove, store and dispose of these vehicles is Devizes Reclamation.

The efficient removal of abandoned vehicles from south Wiltshire contributes to:

• increased safety for road users and pedestrians;
• a reduction in vandalism and antisocial behaviour; and
• protection and improvement of the local environment.

Untaxed, un-roadworthy or illegally parked vehicles are not necessarily abandoned. The local police and the DVLA should be contacted if an untaxed vehicle is being used on the road.