§ 9. Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore)What proposals he has to increase powers of local authorities in relation to untaxed and abandoned vehicles. [132968]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Tony McNulty)Since April 2002, all local authorities can apply to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for powers to wheel-clamp and remove untaxed vehicles. As a result, 13 local authorities have taken these powers, four are being trained and a further 20 are in discussion with the DVLA. Regulations aimed at speeding up the removal of vehicles abandoned on the highway by reducing the notice period also came into force in April 2002. In addition, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs issued a consultation paper in July 2003 proposing to reduce the notice period from 15 days to five working days for vehicles abandoned on private land.
§ Huw Irranca-DaviesI thank my hon. Friend for that full reply, and draw his attention to the blight caused to many communities in the south Wales valleys in terms of quality of life and tourism development. As one wanders across the top of the Bwlch mountain, one comes across abandoned vehicles in what seemed a remote area. I applaud the changes to vehicle licensing from 1 January 2004, which will aid the identification of owners who dump their vehicles illegally in that way, but will my hon. Friend ensure that there is a good information campaign so that owners are not caught out inadvertently by the new, much more stringent and welcome powers?
§ Mr. McNultyMy hon. Friend is right. More stringent powers must be accompanied by greater awareness and an education process to allow people to know what is going on. I am pleased that at least three Welsh authorities—Rhondda, Swansea and Pembroke—are discussing that with the DVLA, and I commend the new powers to the rest of the Welsh authorities.