Angered residents say it is unfair to be paying for parking permits when an abandoned car has been 'blocking the road for over a year'.
The crash-damaged car in Cedar Terrace, High Wycombe, was first reported abandoned to Buckinghamshire Council in June 2022.
The resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, took matters into her own hands by reporting it on Fix My Street in the hope of getting the council's attention.
However, neighbours have had little luck in getting the battered car removed from the road and claim the council has turned a blind eye.
She said: "Initially reported in June 2022 the Council failed to take any action despite [more than] 30 other reports from residents until May 2023.
"Finally an abandoned sticker was placed on the vehicle and eventually it was ready to be towed away in July 2023, unfortunately, two workers from a local garage turned up with the keys and the car was removed from the tow truck.
"Now the Council says that it is not an abandoned vehicle and so will not take any action, despite the fact it has not moved (apart from on and off the tow truck) for more than 15 months."
Buckinghamshire Council confirmed that the vehicle was claimed by the owner on July 4, 2023, so it cannot be towed away.
However, residents feel it is unfair they cannot use the parking space when they pay for a permit.
She added: "Residents are frustrated that they pay for parking permits to have the opportunity to park in their own street and if they park in the restricted areas get a ticket, yet this vehicle gets no tickets due to the lack of number plates.
"I think the current parking permit is £60 per year for the first car but that doesn't guarantee you a space, it just means you can park in the designated bays at any time without having to pay extra for a ticket.
"We often cannot get a space as taxis and local garages (without permits) take up these spaces and as there are no longer regular traffic wardens they don't often get a ticket.
"Essentially the council is saying to people if you remove your number plate you can get away without having a permit and park wherever you want with no penalty.
"The vehicle has been there so long it even appears on Google Street Map!"
Bucks Council explained they received a report of an abandoned vehicle on May 4, 2023, and have carried out inspections.
Gareth Williams, Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: "This vehicle was reported as abandoned to us on 4 May 2023. After inspections, notices, and an attempt to remove it, the vehicle was claimed on 4 July 2023 by someone with the keys before it could be taken away. As the vehicle is no longer deemed abandoned, we cannot remove it but have reported it to the DVLA for failing to have valid tax. We have also contacted local car garages to ascertain whether they own the vehicle and advised them of the legal obligations for a vehicle to be parked on the highway.
“We encourage anyone who believes a vehicle is abandoned to report it to us via FixMyStreet.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel