Residents glad to finally see back of dumped car

Residents along Hythe Road are relieved after a car that was left on the pavement has finally been removed after nearly four weeks.

Hythe Road resident Daniel Dryden said: “I’m not sure what has happened to it or who moved it, but I’m pleased it has finally been taken away.”

The car was on the pavement at the Hythe Road/Church Road junction outside of the former Willesborough & Kennington Garage, and had been in the same location for nearly a month.

Mr Dryden said: “I reported the car to Ashford Borough Council and the police but nothing was done.

“It was covered in dents, had flat tyres and the air bags had been deployed so it looked as though it had been in an accident and just left there.”

However, it is still unclear who moved the car, with there being confusion about which authority was responsible to shift it.

Mr Dryden added: “It had valid MOT and was taxed until February, so the council couldn’t remove it as it was not considered abandoned.

“But then the police said because the car has not been involved in a crime and was not completely blocking the pavement, they would not be able to take action on it either. Nobody was claiming responsibility.

“The car was an eyesore in the neighbourhood and it shows there is an element of neglect. It made the area look rough and downtrodden. It didn’t send out a good message.”

Before the car was removed, a spokesman from Ashford Borough Council said: “We are aware of the vehicle and will be working with the police to obtain the details of the vehicle owner to see if we can satisfactorily resolve the matter.”

In contrast, a spokesman from Kent Police said: “With regards to the abandoned vehicle, police officers can only seize vehicles if they have been involved in a crime or if they are causing an obstruction.

“This particular car is not causing an obstruction and so we are unable to recover it.”

‘It made the area look rough and downtrodden’

Unloved and unwanted: the bandoned car on Hythe Road