Rust in Peace

Herefordshire Council has joined over 170 other local authorities across the UK in signing up to the ENCAMS (formerly ‘Tidy Britain’) campaign to prevent abandoned vehicles being dumped on our roadsides and open spaces.

In Herefordshire the amnesty will run from Monday January 24 until Friday February 4.

During this time people who own an unwanted vehicle can call the Environmental Health & Trading Standards (EHTS) helpline (01432 261761) to arrange collection.

Details of the car registration and ownership etc, will have to be established before any car is removed but hopefully the process will be complete within two weeks of the initial phone call.

Andrew Tector, Head of Environmental Health & Trading Standards, said “We have to dispose of approximately 250 abandoned vehicles on average each year, which costs the Council about £10,000.

“Abandoning a vehicle is in itself an anti-social act as it mars the neighbourhood, but it can also lead to other acts of vandalism -- people setting fire to them for instance --which can be very dangerous indeed.

“We hope this amnesty will prevent people just dumping old vehicles. We are also advising people that if the vehicles can still be driven there may be some value from them if they visit their local scrap metal dealer,” he added.

Posters advertising the amnesty have been sent to local garages/MOT centres etc and will be displayed from 17 January.