We, the residents of Brandwood Road and adjoining areas request that Birmingham City Council address the issue of abandoned vehicles on Brandwood Road. Not only are these abandoned vehicles left to rot unsightly, but they also negatively impact the community by posing potential environmental and safety risks.

What is happening?

Two unroadworthy vehicles in a poor state of repair, a bronze Porsche 944 number plate UIA9029 and a white Ford Transit camper van number plate UVP732H have been abandoned indefinitely at Brandwood Road, near the roundabout by Woodthorpe Road. Both vehicles are classed as historic (classic) vehicles more than 40 years old and therefore are Tax and MOT exempt. They have been stationary since the beginning of May 2024.

The vehicles are unroadworthy and have not had a valid MOT since 2017. The Porsche was towed into position, has severe corrosion in the lower sills on both sides, all four brake disks badly corroded, impact damage to the rear including the R/S back light broken and the rear panel broken, plus impact damage to the R/S front panel. The Ford transit camper van has no license plates, no battery, is immobilised and leaking oil onto the highway. It has flat front tyres and broken windows. Both vehicles are covered in rubbish and prevent the council from cleaning the street.

What is the law?

The local authority has a duty under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 to remove any vehicle abandoned on land in the open air or land part of a highway. Abandoning a vehicle on any land in the open air is a criminal offence under Section 2 of this Act. The Act regarding abandoned and unroadworthy vehicles is only meaningful and effective if there is consistent and thorough enforcement by local authorities.

An abandoned vehicle can also be classified as 'hazardous waste', thus also making the action of abandoning such a vehicle an offence under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Environmental Agency has reported that leaking fluids from abandoned vehicles can cause potential soil and water contamination.

What is an abandoned vehicle?

An abandoned vehicle is one which has not been moved or attended to for a long time. Some of the criteria to help identify an abandoned vehicle:

•             is parked in the same place for a long period of time (more than 4 weeks)

•             it's run-down or unroadworthy, including being rusted

•             the vehicle is damaged and clearly not being used

•             it has bodywork damage, rusty brake discs, broken lights, or is leaking fluids

•             it has broken or damaged windows

•             it has flat tyres

•             it has vegetation and/or rubbish in/around the car  

•             it has wires hanging from the dashboard  

Safety concerns

Safety concerns related to parking a camper van on the street for an extended period include traffic issues, causing an obstruction, and allowing the vehicle to fall into disrepair. This large camper van is severely blocking the sight line for 129, 131, and 133 Brandwood Road impairing their ability to see or manoeuvre off their driveways. There have been already several near misses reported by neighbours.

The abandoned vehicles:

•             obstruct the flow of traffic (Brandwood Road is a Blue Route used daily by Police, Fire Services and Ambulances.  It is also a major bus route and feeder road for several infant, junior and senior schools)

•             are a safety hazard to pedestrians and traffic

•             limit access for other vehicles

•             block windows and shut out daylight

•             are an eyesore

•             are an environmental hazard

•             limit parking availability for residents

•             attract antisocial behaviour 

•             are causing distress to residents

Abandoned vehicles cause a nuisance by obstructing roads, traffic and pedestrians. The sight of a damaged or slowly rusting car can also be an eyesore in our communities.

As a local resident and a deeply concerned community member, I am urging all of you to join my call for our council to take decisive action against the abandoned vehicles that blight Brandwood Road.

By signing this petition, we, the undersigned residents of Birmingham, request BCC to:

1. Review their policy regarding abandoned vehicles and ownership to agree with national legislation – a car in an abandoned state owned by a resident (which these vehicles are not) is still an abandoned car according to the law

2. Conform to their duty and remove these unroadworthy vehicles from our street.

Please, lend your voice and sign this petition today.