DUMPED wrecks are driving residents in Silkstone Common to distraction.
People living in South Yorkshire Buildings in Silkstone Common are fed up with their estate being used as a scrap yard.
They have asked for police and council help to get rid of the vehicles but so far nothing has been done.
A Toyota pick-up truck was left there after it was crashed over eight months ago and a BMW convertible has been rusting away for more than ten years, according to
a resident who does not wish to be named for fear of reprisals.
The Toyota was reported to Barnsley Council as abandoned in April but in a letter to the resident concerned, South Yorkshire Police say that neither vehicle is abandoned and that the council agrees, so neither service can do anything about them.
“It seems that someone has told them that, at some time in the future, the owner plans to sell the BMW and repair the Toyota. That seems to have been enough for both the council and the police to wash their hands of it,” said the resident, adding she was advised to hire a solicitor to sort it out.
“I’ve taken legal advice,” said the resident, “And the solicitor says both the council and the police are wrong.
“The advice I’ve been given is the council has a duty to deal with abandoned vehicles and the government guidance to all local councils says they should look at things like how long the vehicle has been stood, and if it has tax and an MoT, which neither of these vehicles have. The council says it’s having a big drive to stop flytipping but doesn’t seem to be bothered about dumping wrecks at South Yorkshire Buildings, where there are around 50 homes.”
The police also say the vehicles are not on a road or on public land so they don’t need to be insured or have an MoT.
The resident argues that her solicitor says they are wrong about that too.
“Just because the road isn’t maintained by the council doesn’t mean it isn’t a road for purposes of road traffic law,” she said. “The police should charge the owner with not having insurance or MoTs and they have the power to remove and crush cars without insurance.”
The resident who complained says they have pointed all this out but that so far the police officer involved hasn’t replied to letters about this and neither has the council officer who visited South Yorkshire Buildings with him.
“I formally complained to the council about this person’s failure to do their job almost eight weeks ago, sending them all the letters I’ve sent to the officer involved and I only received an acknowledgement a few days ago,” said the resident.
“I’ve formally complained to the police too, but they haven’t got back to me yet. I’m surprised at the refusal of the police and council officer to do anything. It is shocking.”
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said the issue was a matter for the council.
Barnsley Council were asked to comment but haven’t responded.
