A car in First Avenue, Rushenden, thought to have been abandoned frustrates residents and attracts anti-social behaviour
11:30, 27 November 2024
updated: 13:15, 27 November 2024
This is all that remains of a vehicle that fed-up residents thought had been abandoned in their parking area three years ago.
The eyesore car, which has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour, is in Rushenden, on Sheppey.
It was understood it had been dumped at Hamilton Mews, in First Avenue, in 2021 but efforts to get it moved have proved fruitless.
Now, it has been stripped of its metal, leaving just the shell.
One disgruntled resident said: "The management company of the houses was informed but as it was on the drive there was nothing they could do.
"The police would not touch it as it is off the road and has no number plate.
"It has caused us nothing but grief with kids messing around.
“We are aware of an abandoned vehicle on the estate, which has since been reported to the local authority for removal…”
"Then the other night it was completely stripped of metal. It is making the residents' lives a misery."
People living in the area say they have informed the property management company for the homes, First Point.
Police have also been notified but nothing has been done.
A police spokesman said it would be for a local authority, in this case Swale council, to put a notice on the vehicle.
It would then attempt to contact its owner and, if nothing is heard within a specified timeframe, it can be removed.
However, a Swale council spokesman said because the vehicle was on private land, it would be the responsibility of the landowner.
Despite the council's stance, First Point said its property manager for the estate would work with the council to resolve the matter.
A spokesperson for the property management company said: “We are aware of an abandoned vehicle on the estate, which has since been reported to the local authority for removal.
"In the meantime, a sign will be placed on the car to make residents aware it has been reported to the council, and we’ve also appointed a contractor to remove any litter surrounding the vehicle.”
It has since emerged that the owner lives nearby and the vehicle had not been dumped.
The Swale council spokesman added: “The vehicle is not abandoned as we know who the owner is.
“They have claimed it and live in close proximity to the vehicle.
“And as it is on private land we have no jurisdiction.”
As of yesterday (Tuesday, November 26), the wreckage was still there.
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