SMMT welcomes today’s government consultation on a range of
new measures that will cut down on illegal car dumping. The measures, which
include giving local authorities access to DVLA records and more power to prosecute
car dumpers, represent the first step in preventing thousands of vehicles being
dumped by the side of the road each year.
However, the government is urged to take immediate action
to identify the large number of unregistered cars currently on UK roads. Government
estimates suggest this could be up to two million vehicles. Until DVLA records
are complete and accurate, owners who dump these unregistered cars will continue
to slip through the net and evade prosecution.
Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive, said, ‘Car dumping
is a serious social problem and we are pleased that the government is finally
taking steps to address it. All vehicle owners have a responsibility to dispose
of their car in an environmentally responsible way and that message needs to
be heard loud and clear.’
On the issue of accurate records he cautioned, ‘Tighter enforcement
goes hand in hand with accurate records and while there are unregistered and
untaxed vehicles on the road, irresponsible owners will continue to get away
with illegal car dumping scot-free’.
Today’s joint DTLR/DEFRA consultation also includes a proposal
for continuous registration. SMMT supports the idea and would like to see it
linked to certificates of destruction. Under such a scheme owners would continue
to pay vehicle excise duty (VED) until the car had been disposed of properly,
either at dismantler or shredder, and a certificate of destruction issued.
The government estimates that more than 350,000 cars were dumped
in the UK in 2000. Consultation on proposed measures to cut down on car dumping
ends on 31 January 2002.
