Council.. Bastids..

[eddyramrod]

Then you spend ten minutes with a foot pump and a damp cloth before you go. It's part and parcel of parking on the road - you wouldn't leave your car on double yellow lines, go on holiday then moan when you came back and it had been towed, would you?

 

I've just been away and left three cars parked on-street (ok, one in the back alley) without washing them; in fact I haven't washed two of them at all while I've owned them and the third for several months anyway.  Does this mean they should have been towed, despite all three being completely legal?

[DodgeRover]

If the owner wants to avoid it being taken away, it's really easy - he literally has to move it to the other side of the road. The person who owns the (tax and MOT exempt) A30 on my road has been doing this successfully for a while now - last moved in April, by my reckoning...

Looking at the milages history it could well belong to someone elderly who is now in hospital.

[richardmorris]

You’re being very neighbourly about it. Try a different time of day with the door to door If you can.

Many years ago an old friend in the 2cv club had a CX GTI Turbo 1 ( with black and white leather interior ) removed by the council (Hillingdon I think). He had been in hospital ( psychiatric evaluation-he said owning cxs didn’t help his case! ) and was in a taxi home when he saw it being taken the opposite way.

[warren t claim]

Is that the one parked on Holloway Road?

[uk_senator]

You’re being very neighbourly about it. Try a different time of day with the door to door If you can.

Many years ago an old friend in the 2cv club had a CX GTI Turbo 1 ( with black and white leather interior ) removed by the council (Hillingdon I think). He had been in hospital ( psychiatric evaluation-he said owning cxs didn’t help his case! ) and was in a taxi home when he saw it being taken the opposite way.

I believe in Karma. We all love old chod, we dont want the big bad council bullying one of our own.

 

Looking at the milages history it could well belong to someone elderly who is now in hospital.

Its hard to say, could be another nutter like me, with more cars than time to use them.

 

Is that the one parked on Holloway Road?

No, miles away from there.

[angle]

No I'd leave it legally parked & assume it'd still be there. The same as this legally parked and fully legal car has been left.

But that's exactly my point. It's not legal to abandon a car on the road in exactly the same way as it's not legal to park on double yellow lines, and councils can legally remove cars they think have been abandoned in the same way they can remove illegally parked ones, provided they follow the right process. And 'abandoned' isn't the same as 'out of tax or MOT' - if you read the link I posted, there's a few things that the council would look at to work out whether a car might have been abandoned that are definitely the case here (flat tyres, moss, dead leaves, presumably someone reporting it in the first place).

 

You or I might not like it, but it is what the law is.

[Faker]

That little vitesse looks absolutely rock solid...

[Mrs6C]

I used to work with a group of local authorities on the abandoned vehicles service. They wouldn't deal with anything that was road legal, as if it was, then it wasn't 'abandoned' and wasn't their problem to own - or pay for fixing. They preferred not to spend money on doing something that they weren't responsible for doing. If someone reported a vehicle to them as abandoned, though, they were obliged to investigate it. Putting these stickers on such cars was the normal practice, to show everyone that they had taken action and were investigating. That's what the notice advises, although it is worded in rather a harsh way.

 

Rules may have changed though, so if you are inclined, it would be worth trying to track down the owner/keeper/driver. As has been suggested, it's possible they are ill, in hospital, working away, or just out of the country and have left their fully legal car parked legally roadside, assuming it would be OK. Local publicans, garages, postman might well know who owns it or be able to contact them.

 

You could also call Barnet Council and explain you have seen the notice and are worried that this rare classic car has been reported as abandoned and may be removed in error. Explain that (1) it belongs to a local resident, (2) you have known it parked around the area for four years, (3) it does move around and (4) it is fully road legal. Say you are a classic car enthusiast and ask for their help to resolve the situation. My own experience of Council teams responsible for dealing with abandoned vehicles is that they are generally decent, pragmatic people like the rest of us, who do care about doing the right thing and like to give a positive outcome if they can. It can't hurt to ask them for their help here. Email them photos of it looking nice and parked in different parts of the street, also the screenshot of its MOT, tax and insurance status. If they know other people care about the car, then they might start thinking about it in a positive way and be inclined to help out. Worth a shot?

[D Spares & Tyres]

Some typically helpful responses here - report them to the BBC, that'll learn 'em. The legal position is explained here:

https://www.mylawyer.co.uk/law-a-A76076D35096/?A76076D35096=

Essentially MOT, tax etc is taken into account, but overall it's the council environmental officers decision whether the car looks abandoned or not. Part of that is looking at condition, flat tyres etc so a clean up and inflating the tyres can only help - but now it's been reported and seen in that state it's really down to the owner to move it, even if it's just round the corner.

We're all fucked then if other councils start taking this attitude

 

Cue impromtue autoshite gatherings in council depots across the land

[uk_senator]

I used to work with a group of local authorities on the abandoned vehicles service. They wouldn't deal with anything that was road legal, as if it was, then it wasn't 'abandoned' and wasn't their problem to own - or pay for fixing. They preferred not to spend money on doing something that they weren't responsible for doing. If someone reported a vehicle to them as abandoned, though, they were obliged to investigate it. Putting these stickers on such cars was the normal practice, to show everyone that they had taken action and were investigating. That's what the notice advises, although it is worded in rather a harsh way.

 

Rules may have changed though, so if you are inclined, it would be worth trying to track down the owner/keeper/driver. As has been suggested, it's possible they are ill, in hospital, working away, or just out of the country and have left their fully legal car parked legally roadside, assuming it would be OK. Local publicans, garages, postman might well know who owns it or be able to contact them.

 

You could also call Barnet Council and explain you have seen the notice and are worried that this rare classic car has been reported as abandoned and may be removed in error. Explain that (1) it belongs to a local resident, (2) you have known it parked around the area for four years, (3) it does move around and (4) it is fully road legal. Say you are a classic car enthusiast and ask for their help to resolve the situation. My own experience of Council teams responsible for dealing with abandoned vehicles is that they are generally decent, pragmatic people like the rest of us, who do care about doing the right thing and like to give a positive outcome if they can. It can't hurt to ask them for their help here. Email them photos of it looking nice and parked in different parts of the street, also the screenshot of its MOT, tax and insurance status. If they know other people care about the car, then they might start thinking about it in a positive way and be inclined to help out. Worth a shot?

Yes, thats another alternative I`d considered. I will call them if I have no joy tracking the owner down in the next 48 hours.. 

 

I may (non aggressively) threaten them if I don't feel I'm getting anywhere on the phone, as I`ve been advised by a legally knowledgeable friend that what they're doing is potentially illegal, & the last thing they need financially is a court case..

[Split_Pin]

Good luck to the Council when they spy their arse on this one.

[steveo3002]

you could try facebook for the local area 

 

or get the garage that mot'd it details and they might know the owner?  

 

id leave a note on it too...taxed and insured , fully road legal !! 

[barrett]

If somebody reports a car as abandoned, the council write to the registered keeper asking if it is or isn't. There's a number on the letter to call and explain that it's not. If the owner has ignored this and it has escalated to getting a notice on the window then I would assume they have snuffed it, are incapacitated or simply don't care. Or are just shit at opening their mail. In any case it doesn't bode well for door knocking. Still, yeah, bastards.

[uk_senator]

you could try facebook for the local area 

 

or get the garage that mot'd it details and they might know the owner?  

 

id leave a note on it too...taxed and insured , fully road legal !! 

Brilliant idea, will do! I probably know the garage!

[uk_senator]

you could try facebook for the local area 

 

or get the garage that mot'd it details and they might know the owner?  

 

id leave a note on it too...taxed and insured , fully road legal !! 

Ah.. Cept:

 

Test locationunavailable until further notice

[rantingYoof]

A screen-print of the Government's own MOT history/a generic car-checker stating the above would probably be quite funny poking out from a local authority headed notice!

[Mrs6C]

I may (non aggressively) threaten them if I don't feel I'm getting anywhere on the phone, as I`ve been advised by a legally knowledgeable friend that what they're doing is potentially illegal, & the last thing they need financially is a court case..

 

Hmm, think I'd avoid that, as it's most likely to annoy them and least likely to engage them - could open a whole can of legal worms as well! Where's Breadvan72 when we need him?

 

Here's the Barnet web page for abandoned vehicles, though, with 'phone and email contact details:

 

https://www.barnet.gov.uk/citizen-home/parking-roads-and-pavements/Roads-and-Pavements/abandoned-vehicles.html

 

The uninitiated could be forgiven for thinking it has been abandoned, if it's surrounded by dead leaves, covered in green slime and has a flat tyre. All those things together don't present the Vitesse in its best light, so even a Council officer could think that it has been abandoned, if they don't know the car well.

[uk_senator]

Hmm, think I'd avoid that, as it's most likely to annoy them and least likely to engage them - could open a whole can of legal worms as well! Where's Breadvan72 when we need him?

 

Here's the Barnet web page for abandoned vehicles, though, with 'phone and email contact details:

 

https://www.barnet.gov.uk/citizen-home/parking-roads-and-pavements/Roads-and-Pavements/abandoned-vehicles.html

 

The uninitiated could be forgiven for thinking it has been abandoned, if it's surrounded by dead leaves, covered in green slime and has a flat tyre. All those things together don't present the Vitesse in its best light, so even a Council officer could think that it has been abandoned, if they don't know the car well.

I wouldnt go in all guns blazing, I`m a very patient man, If I dont feel I`m getting anywhere, I`ll politely leave the conversation, call again & hopefully talk to someone else, THEN if I dont feel I`m getting anywhere I`ll take more direct action.

 

The alternative is doing something slightly illegal with the car, which I really don't want to do, but, as I said, I'm not letting it die on my watch because of ignorance & bureaucracy..

[Mrs6C]

Brilliant idea, will do! I probably know the garage!

You may well do. The mileage reading between the 2016 and 2017 MOT tests varies by 3 miles. Assuming it drove there and back, how many MOT test stations are there within 1.5 miles of where the car is parked?

[uk_senator]

You may well do. The mileage reading between the 2016 and 2017 MOT tests varies by 3 miles. Assuming it drove there and back, how many MOT test stations are there within 1.5 miles of where the car is parked?

Um... 4, maybe 5? All 1-1.5 miles away. Its not a garage rich area.

 

[Tickman]

On Facebook the practical classic people seem to be getting results with scrappage scheme cars would they be of help in this case?

[Christine]

Ah , but the old dear might be clocking it...    Not daft these old people ! She knows what it's worth..

[Mrs6C]

What's the name of the street on which it is parked, or one that's near enough, if you don't know?

[richardmorris]

Doesn’t the mot checker give you the mot testing station number now?

[uk_senator]

On Facebook the practical classic people seem to be getting results with scrappage scheme cars would they be of help in this case?

I dont think so, its not got the luxury of time on its side. 6 days before D-Day..

 

What's the name of the street on which it is parked, or one that's near enough, if you don't know?

I wouldn't broadcast it in public for security reasons. 

[uk_senator]

Doesn’t the mot checker give you the mot testing station number now?

Apparently not, unsure if its a glitch or going to be permanent.

[DSdriver]

Besides I can't see how they've got any legal right to touch a legally parked car that is fully legal.

I don't think that there is such a thing as legally parked. Only illegally parked. Your only legal right on the roads is to pass and repass.

Or some such other legal bollocks.

I'm all in favour of doing what we can to stop the Council from removing it. Remember the case of Peter Cook's Citroen DS Chapron convertible

that he left on the street in London whilst he was in the US? Probably the same street. 

[richardmorris]

Perhaps a little white lie? Phone council and say your elderly friend is in hospital and unable to contact them, but that’s the car is completely legal?

[New POD]

Anyone local got access to a 2 wheel dolly? Lift it's back wheels and tow it somewhere safe. Or is that theft ?

[uk_senator]

Perhaps a little white lie? Phone council and say your elderly friend is in hospital and unable to contact them, but that’s the car is completely legal?

Yes, thats a possibility.

 

The only person who answered today was a lady in her 50`s, she knew the car as her Mum had a Herald. When I explained the situation she seemed quite upset by it & was very sympathetic of my `quest` to locate the owner before its taken. 

 

I may knock on her door tomorrow/day after with an empty bucket in hand in the hope she donates some water to the cause.

 

I`m also going to take a broom & a bin bag to remove the leaves from around it & make it look less dumped.