Abandoned vehicles

We have a duty under Section 3 of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, to remove a vehicle, which is abandoned within Central Bedfordshire.

We can issue fixed penalty notices to the registered keeper of any vehicle found to be abandoned under Part 2 Section 10 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

We can:

• remove, store and dispose of abandoned vehicles with some value
• recover any and all costs relating to the removal, storage or disposal from the person responsible for abandoning the vehicle
• trace vehicle ownership and impose fines on those abandoning vehicles

Upon receiving a report an investigating officer will inspect the vehicle and consider a range of factors that may indicate if the vehicle has been abandoned and is fit for removal and destruction. In some instances, we will continue to monitor the vehicle's condition.

Please note: The final decision as to whether a vehicle is deemed abandoned or not is with the investigating officer.

Private landowners who may have vehicles that we are not able to deal with are advised to seek their own legal advice on the measures they may take regarding any process for notification and any potential removal.