More cash must continue to be pumped into the bid to rid Tendring's streets of abandoned vehicles.

That's the warning as councillors battle to keep up their fight against those who dump cars and vans around the district.

The budget for removing abandoned vehicles has been set at £105,820 for this financial year.

On top of that there is to be an estimated contribution of £33,470 from Essex County Council to cover the costs of disposal.

This is an 11-fold increase since 1997 and the current trends indicate the figure is likely to rise until new legislation bites in 2007.

Chris Kitcher, Tendring Council's acting head of environmental services, said Tendring was as active as anywhere else in Essex in its efforts.

But, he warned, extra money will have to found in the future.

"There appears to be an increasing cost for the council for the forseeable future, and one that will only be partially solved by changes in legislation currently taking place," he said.

In a report to the overview and scrutiny committee, Mr Kitcher said one improvement would be making the last registered keeper of a vehicle responsible for its final disposal.

That would mean action could be taken against them and would give them the motive to ensure they informed DVLA of their status with respect to ownership.

The full report will be discussed by councillors on Monday

Published Tuesday, June 3, 2003

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