Abandoned bus and cars an ‘eyesore’ around town
A GROWING number of abandoned cars – and a double decker bus – are becoming a ‘real eyesore’ around Fort William.
Police and the Highland Council have told The Oban Times they are aware of the issue but a local voluntary group says the situation needs to be investigated.
Fort William Town Team discussed the matter at its meeting this month after volunteer James Kennedy reported a car had been ‘dumped’ at the Backlands a few weeks ago.
Mr Kennedy also highlighted the difficulty of scrapping cars now that there is no value in it – a reason why more people are abandoning them. A Town Team spokesperson said: ‘Abandoned vehicles are a real eye sore. There used to be a scrappage value, but this is no longer the case. We need to investigate how to remove these vehicles legally and at low cost. There surely must be a way in these days of recycling and upcycling.’
There are also abandoned vehicles at An Aird and Angus Crescent. A Mazda Tribute has been parked at the roundabout, near Morrisons supermarket, for some time now with a for sale sign on it. But recently a sign saying ‘local authority aware’ was seen on the front of the car.
At Angus Crescent, a yellow double decker bus belonging to company based in Blackburn, England, has been left.
At the Town Team meeting, there were questions over whose responsibility it is to remove abandoned vehicles. The Highland Council told The Oban
Times: ‘Local authorities are not required to remove abandoned cars from private land although they have a duty to remove them from land under their own control.
‘Police, not the council, have the power to immediately tow any vehicle left in a position causing a danger or obstruction and should be contacted on 101. The council is happy to work with landowners in trying to identify the owner of the vehicles if they are defined as abandoned, however, due to the costs of removal, storage and disposal, local authorities throughout Scotland do not have to process such vehicles because of the high costs involved.
‘However if a request is made from a landowner for the removal of a vehicle and they agree to meet the costs the council will make the necessary arrangements.’
A police spokesperson said: ‘Officers are aware of the issue. Anyone with concerns about abandoned vehicles should contact the local authority or if the vehicle is considered dangerous contact Police Scotland on 101.’