Wiltshire Council issue £2k fine for abandoned car on A303

A man has been fined £2,869 after abandoning his car on the side of a dual carriageway along with a note saying it had broken down.

Jeremy Lopes, of Park Avenue in Southall, London, left his untaxed Skoda Octavia parked on the edge of the A303 near Cholderton, Wiltshire, in July 2024.

Wiltshire Council posted a seven-day abandoned vehicle removal notice on the windscreen of the vehicle but the owner failed to comply.

Councillor Martin Smith said dumping a vehicle is taken very seriously as it risks attracting “vandalism and rubbish” and costs the local taxpayer money to have it removed.

Officers called the phone number left on the note and spoke to a man who identified himself as the owner. He stated he would be moving the vehicle within 24 hours.

When officers returned two days later the vehicle was still abandoned, untaxed, covered in debris and showed evidence of rusty brake discs.

He was also contacted by Environmental Enforcement Officers and notified of the charges involved in reclaiming the vehicle, and the disposal costs if not reclaimed.

Mr Smith, cabinet member for highways, street scene and flooding, said the council’s enforcement officers investigate every report of abandoned vehicles.

“Most are removed by the owners when we contact them,” he said.

“We want to take responsibility for the environment and protect Wiltshire’s beautiful countryside and scenic views.

“Abandoning a vehicle is not only a criminal offence, but it can also attract vandalism and rubbish, potentially having a negative effect on our visitors and residents.

“I hope this case shows that we take the abandoning of vehicles seriously and will act to deter people from considering doing this in the future.”