Council joins forces with McAllisters to remove untaxed vehicles

28 January 2008

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Woking Borough Council has joined forces with McAllisters Recovery Limited to help keep the Borough's streets clear by removing any vehicle that is parked on the public highway and is not displaying a legal tax disc.

The Vehicle Excise Duty Regulations 1997 (Immobilisation, Removal and Disposal of Vehicles) allows untaxed vehicles located on public roads to be removed immediately. The Council will be using these devolved powers, issued from the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), to remove untaxed vehicles quickly and efficiently from the Borough's streets.

McAllisters, a recovery company based in Aldershot, will carry out regular patrols of the Borough and any untaxed vehicles spotted will be removed. McAllisters will also respond to any reports from the Council's Neighbourhood Officers, Police Officers and members of the public of untaxed vehicles in the Borough and these vehicles will also be removed.

In order to remove an untaxed vehicle, McAllisters will liaise with Woking Borough Council who will seek authorisation from the DVLA to remove the car. Once the vehicle is confirmed by the DVLA as untaxed, the vehicle will be lifted, removed and taken to McAllisters's secure storage depot.

To release the vehicle, the owner will be required to pay a removal fee, cover any storage charges and produce a valid tax disc or make a surety payment, which means the owner will need to leave a cash sum to release the vehicle, which will be refunded when the owner returns with a valid tax disc. After a specified period, if the vehicle is not collected, the DVLA will give authorisation to dispose of any unclaimed vehicles.

Cllr Anne Murray, Leader of Woking Borough Council's Executive, said: "Untaxed vehicles are an unnecessary nuisance and we are keen to reduce the problems that they cause for both the community and the environment. This partnership is another step towards creating safer and better neighbourhoods. I would like to encourage all drivers to act responsibly and pay their car tax, as failure to do so could mean their vehicles being removed and impounded."

Mark McAllister, Managing Director of McAllisters, said: "We currently carry out untaxed enforcement for several local borough councils in Surrey and Hampshire. As a local resident and car tax payer, I am in full support of Woking Borough Council and hope that we will provide an effective deterrent to those who feel they are exempt from paying their car tax and maintaining a road worthy vehicle."

Any resident who would like to report an untaxed vehicle can contact Woking Borough Council on 01483 755855 or email waste@woking.gov.uk