Buckinghamshire Council has launched a new vehicle removal policy enforcing tougher measures on repeat offenders.

The council has begun to lift and impound illegally parked vehicles and persistent evaders with five or more outstanding Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).

To retrieve their vehicle, road users will need to prove their identity, vehicle ownership and evidence of where they live.

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The local authority has also confirmed that charges will apply.

If no one comes forward, the vehicle will either be auctioned – if in roadworthy condition – or disposed of.

Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Our new vehicle removal policy enables us to quickly deal with illegally parked vehicles,”

“Vehicles of this type often cause an obstruction or nuisance, including blocking on-street resident permit parking areas. They can also be unsightly and have a negative impact on the environment. In the worst cases, these vehicles may even be used for crime-related activities such as drug dealing and burglary.

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“Our new policy favours residents who do the right thing and punishes those who try to cheat the system.”

If you think a vehicle has been abandoned, please report it to Buckinghamshire Council by going to: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/street-cleaning/report-abandoned-vehicle

Where there are no parking restrictions in place and a vehicle is blocking a pavement, this is a matter for Thames Valley Police, the council says.