Deadline nears for free removal of unwanted cars
Friday, February 3 2006
If you have an unwanted car, caravan or item of farm machinery, now is the time to take advantage of Scottish Borders Council's free removal service.
The highly successful scheme, which was launched in July 2005, is being brought to a close on 24 February to ensure that allocated funding is spent by a pre-determined deadline of 31 March.
Under the free service, the Council has removed more than 300 unwanted vehicles and items of farm machinery and disposed of them in an environmentally friendly way. The service enabled members of the public to rid themselves of old cars in a safe and responsible manner, without having to pay haulage costs or risk fines for dumping.
The end of the scheme will not affect the Council's responsibility to remove abandoned vehicles under the Refuse Disposal
Amenity Act 1978. Illegal car dumpers remain punishable by a £150 removal charge, a £20-per-day storage fee and a further
£150 disposal payment.
Abandoned cars are a dangerous hazard, as well as an eyesore. They may contain broken glass and harmful materials and can
pose a temptation for arsonists.
SBC's Environmental Health Manager, Ken Jones, explained, "Unfortunately we are having to wind up this service, as funding
from the Scottish Executive must be used by the end of the financial year on 31 March. It has been a great scheme for many
people in the Borders and has helped to raise awareness about the responsible disposal of unwanted cars."
For more information, please contact Ken Jones, Environmental Health Manager on 01450 364706.
Unified Solutions.