Fears West Lothian becoming 'a dumping ground' for…

Fears West Lothian becoming 'a dumping ground' for abandoned cars

Concerns have been raised that parts of West Lothian are being used as a 'dumping ground' for abandoned cars,.

Between April and June, 22 abandoned cars were reported around North Livingston - only one less than the first three months of the year. That makes almost 50 since the start of 2022. The figures are around the same for most years. For April to June last year the number was 20.

Towns such as Bathgate and Broxburn have also seen an increase in abandoned vehicles in the last two years.

There have been suggestions from some councillors that many owners, faced with increased costs, furlough and pandemic-related unemployment, have abandoned vehicles untaxed in the streets.

And West Lothian’s Operational Services teams have found evidence that some owners simply move their cars to other streets when contacted about complaints.

Conservative Councillor Alison Adamson, who first questioned the high numbers of abandoned cars in the ward in March, said: “I’m beginning to wonder if people are coming from elsewhere in the area to dump their cars. If that is the case we need to work with the police to tackle it.”

Pat McArdle from the council’s Neighbourhood Environment Teams delivered a report to the North Livingston North Local Area Committee from senior Operational Services staff which said: “In dealing with abandoned vehicles, Officers have gained compliance from vehicle owners with said vehicles getting removed from public highways or getting taxed in most cases.

“Where appropriate, requests have been sent to WLC contractors for removal. However, there are instances where vehicle owners are not compliant and resort to moving their vehicles between streets.”

The report suggested there was evidence that some owners simply moved their cars to other streets when neighbours complained and the council contacted them.

Officers say much of the issue was drivers being unaware that a vehicle has to be taxed to be kept on public road. If it is not taxed it needs to be in a driveway or a garage or on private land.

Many drivers don’t realise that, nor do they realise that a Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN) has to be applied for from the DVLA.

Having found evidence that cars were being moved to other sites the report added: “When presented with such tactics, officers resorted to contacting the DVLA and VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) for support. Officers have also had to educate members of the public that their vehicles with a SORN marker needs to be off public roads and kept in a private drive or inside a garage. This is a scenario that has occurred quite frequently of late.”

In past meetings Operational Service staff admitted that abandoned vehicles dominate the working time of the council’s four enforcement officers, who also deal with fly tipping and dog fouling.