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More vehicles flooded after being left on Minster shingle bank, Sheppey

00:00, 09 November 2015

updated: 16:06, 09 November 2015

Another car was trapped by the tide after being abandoned on a Sheppey beach.

The silver Ford Ka was spotted by Swale council’s seafront manager Ian Arnell on Friday while patrolling the shingle bank at Minster. It was the fourth car of the year he has had to deal with.

Strangely, a second vehicle, a black 4x4, was spotted by Tim Judge, of Minster, next to the Ka on Friday night.

Ford car abandoned on Minster beach Friday night as the tide came in.
Ford car abandoned on Minster beach Friday night as the tide came in.

Both were up to their axles in seawater but had been taken away by Saturday lunchtime.

Mr Arnell said: “Fortunately, the Ka was recovered thanks to the goodwill of some local people. But these cars normally cost me £200 a time to get off the beach.

A 4x4 abandoned at Leysdown cost £900 because it was such a difficult job.”

He added: “I am getting frustrated because the cars are not only unsightly but also create environmental concerns with their oil sumps and tanks of petrol or diesel.

Seafront officer Ian Arnell
Seafront officer Ian Arnell

"It is annoying that I have to use my budget to get them removed instead of spending it on ways of improving the seafronts.”

Recently, vandals destroyed a picnic table at Sheerness after setting fire to it.

Anyone finding a dumped car on the beach should call the police on 101.

The abandoned Ka was reported to police. According to a web search it had not been taxed since March and its last MOT was in 2013.

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