Blitz on Abandoned Cars in the Hanger Hill Area
One owner dives on bonnet of vehicle to try and stop it being towed
Car being towed on a truck during the daytime parking enforcement operation in Hanger Hill
March 9, 2023
Over a dozen abandoned vehicles have been towed away from streets in the Hanger Hill area after lobbying by a local councillor.
Dumped cars has been an endemic problem in the neighbourhood due to proximity to the North Circular Road and the number of abandoned, untaxed, derelict and damaged cars had been on the increase recently.
Cars that were parked illegally, or untaxed, or not roadworthy were taken off the streets this week in a special daytime operation.
A joint patrol of Ealing Council’s parking enforcement officers and the police targeted the area on Monday (6 March).
It followed a night-time operation by council officers in November, which led to 21 vehicles being towed away.
The vehicles being removed including a Range Rover and trailer parked illegally, a large van that was not roadworthy but left on the road to store tools and car parts for months at a time, and an untaxed car that was parked illegally on the road.
A man claiming to be the owner of the untaxed car jumped on to its bonnet and sat there in an attempt to prevent it from being towed. And several other people quickly attempted to shift illegally parked vehicles into the garages.
However, police officers kept the peace while the council officers took the vehicles away and issued 42 penalty charge notices (PCNs) which will have to be paid up by the owners or the council will look to get warrants issued to collect any outstanding debt. No one was hurt or arrested.
One abandoned car outside the entrance to commercial premises
A common practice to try and get around the law is to buy a car or van at an auction and then not register the new owner, or ‘keeper’ with the national agency, the DVLA. The lack of a registered keeper can mean that a vehicle receives multiple PCNs that are never paid. But the lack of a registered keeper will not prevent enforcement action from being taken because it can still be towed away and even destroyed.
Councillor Athena Zissimos, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Environment said, “Liberal Democrats brought the problem to the attention of Ealing Council months ago, and it is being taken so seriously and the Council is continuing in its efforts, with the help of the Local Community Police. Businesses as well as local residents welcome a road that is passable, and emergency services can use, if necessary, with ease.”
Councillor Peter Mason, the leader of the council, said, “This was the first time that the council has attempted this sort of joint enforcement with the police for tackling both illegally parked vehicles and towing away abandoned vehicles at the same time. It will not be the last time, though, because local people and businesses should be able to go about their everyday lives and should not have to worry about being blocked and obstructed by anti-social and unlawful behaviour. These types of hotspots will be targeted again, both in the day and at night.
“To park in a public place, a vehicle must have valid tax, it must have valid and legible number plates, it must be roadworthy, and it must be parked legally. If a vehicle has received a PCN and remains parked in contravention, it can be towed. If a vehicle has multiple unpaid PCNs, it can be towed. And the council will not hesitate to do so.”
The removals have been welcomed by local business owners who have been concerned at the additional clutter and obstructions of old vehicles which may lead to blocked access, increased fly tipping and is damaging to the environment.
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