MORE than 6,000 abandoned cars have been cleared off the streets of Ipswich in the last two years, new figures reveal today.Since 2002 Ipswich Borough Council has dealt with thousands of reports of abandoned cars leading to 3,500 cars being scrapped.
MORE than 6,000 abandoned cars have been cleared off the streets of Ipswich in the last two years, new figures reveal today.
Since 2002 Ipswich Borough Council has dealt with thousands of reports of abandoned cars leading to 3,500 cars being scrapped.
The figures have been released today as the council continues its bid to rib the district of cars left by roadsides.
And the council has today directly thanked The Evening Star for the Dump the Dumpers campaign, which it says has helped lead to them clearing so many cars.
It also says the success is down to the opening of a hotline in May 2001 which means people can call in if they see cars dumped at the sides of roads.
Between April 1999 and when the hotline opened the council had 1,111 reports of derelict cars and scrapped 2,000.
The council released the figures following a national report last week stating that more than 40,000 cars were left in the eastern region alone last year.
The government has now started a campaign to reduce this number and are giving local authorities more power to fine offenders and seize and destroy vehicles.
A council spokesman said: "Thanks to the Evening Star's Dump the Dumpers campaign and Ipswich residents we are making good progress towards our goal of increasing the number of cars scrapped every year. Over the last few years we have removed thousands of cars from streets and open spaces in Ipswich.
"We are increasing our efforts to remove cars and are confident in tackling the issue over the coming years."
Ipswich Borough Council currently has eight members of staff working on the hotline and the removal of derelict cars. It costs approximately £60 to remove each car.
Investigating and removing vehicles nationally costs local authorities £26million a year.
Vehicle arson costs £230million and failure to tax vehicles costs £93million in lost revenue.
Anyone wishing to report a dumped car can call the council's hotline on 01473 433000.
What do you think? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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