ABANDONED VEHICLE NUMBERS CUT IN THANET

New figures show continued crackdowns on abandoned and untaxed vehicles in Thanet are having a huge impact on tackling the problem.

From April 2011 until 16 December 2011, a total of 96 vehicles have been removed as part of Operation Cubit. These regular sweeps remove untaxed and abandoned vehicles. During 2010/11, Cubit cleared away 170 cars, while three years earlier, in 2007/08, the figure was a massive 474 vehicles.

Cllr. Iris Johnston, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “It’s clear that Cubit is bringing results, with the number of untaxed and abandoned vehicles we’re finding now significantly down from just a few years ago. Although we’re now removing fewer vehicles, it’s still a worthwhile operation, as every car we take away is one less blight on the streets of Thanet.”

The latest Operation Cubit found just nine vehicles, four in Broadstairs and four in Margate and one in Westgate. Once vehicles are removed as part of Cubit, owners have to pay £260, plus storage costs, to reclaim their vehicles. If they don’t reclaim them, then the vehicles are either crushed or sold.

Cubit is a council led operation, with support from Kent Police, Kent County Council, the DVLA and Kent Fire and Rescue Service. You can report abandoned vehicles by calling 01843 577066.