Euro-MP calls for action to stop UK car mountain (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

Euro-MP calls for action to stop UK car mountain

July 27, 2004 4:23 PM

An example of an abandoned car

Two West Midland's local authorities have the most abandoned cars in the country according to figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats, with Birmingham coming top. There were more than 10,500 cars abandoned in Birmingham during 2002/3 which was double the number in the previous year.

Despite the ever expanding car mountain, the government is refusing to take action to deal with the problem according to West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne. The Government has failed to implement the European End of Life Vehicle Directive that would make the vehicle's producer responsible for the cost of disposal rather than the final owner as is the case now.

Commenting on the Figures the Liz Lynne MEP said "Once again the Government has failed to tackle the ever growing abandoned car mountain. This is a direct consequence of the absurd decision to make the final owner of the car foot the bill for its disposal, rather than the manufacturer as is standard practice throughout the EU. The Labour Government is letting down local authorities by not taking a lead on the issue. Every car burnt out in a field, dumped in a quarry or cluttering up a housing estate has 'Government incompetence' written all over it."

Nicola Davies, Liberal Democrat Candidate at the recent Hodge Hill by-election said "The size of the problem was apparent during the by-election, the number of abandoned cars in Shard End in particular was incredible. This Labour Government has let the country and Birmingham down for too long - it must now implement the End of Life Vehicle Directive to ensure this problem does not continue to increase."