The motor industry today welcomed new government measures designed to combat the growing problem of scrap vehicles abandoned by owners at the roadside.
New rules announced by Transport Minister Stephen Byers MP will reduce the time that authorities have to wait before picking up vehicles dumped by the roadside, and will also target owners who deliberately abandon their cars leaving tax payers to foot the bill.
The motor industry supports the proposal to introduce reforms to the vehicle registration system that will make procedures for transferring ownership more secure. This will ensure that irresponsible owners who abandon their vehicles will be made accountable.
The announcement comes as the government considers how best to introduce the European End of Life Vehicle Directive that will define the process of vehicle recycling and disposal.
Commenting on the announcement, SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said, ‘Modern vehicles are green products in every sense and it is essential that drivers behave responsibly when disposing of them. Manufacturers design and build vehicles to be recycled in a straightforward manner and there is no excuse for owners who choose to dump their vehicles by the roadside.’
He continued, ‘Dumping vehicles is as socially unacceptable as throwing televisions, washing machines and cookers on the verge. The government is to be applauded for taking an active lead in addressing the problem, and we look forward to a close partnership developing the complete solution to address recycling and disposal in the sensible introduction of End of Life Vehicle legislation.’
Note to editors:
Over two million vehicles are dismantled each year with more than 80 per cent of the material recovered and recycled.
