§ Mr. McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received calling for reform of the system for removing abandoned vehicles from public highways. [112994]
§ Mr. MullinMy Department has received letters from a number of local authorities, members of the public and other interested bodies about the system for the removal668W of abandoned vehicles. Correspondents have expressed concern about the financial burden the removal of such vehicles places on local authorities, the period of notice authorities must give before removing vehicles, acts of vandalism associated with abandoned vehicles, and the difficulty of tracing the vehicles' owners. They have also suggested a variety of changes to the current system intended to address these concerns.