A MOTORIST has been handed a £200 bill for abandoning his van on a public road.

The fixed penalty notice is the sixth of its kind to be imposed by Wiltshire Council in recent months.

It happened after the vehicle was left on the streets with no valid tax or an MOT.

The authority said the owner failed to comply with a removal notice and the vehicle was removed from the road in Marlborough under its abandoned vehicle powers. He reclaimed the vehicle from council contractors and had to pay £121 recovery costs and release fee.

Bridget Wayman, cabinet member for highways, transport and waste said, “Abandoned vehicles cause a significant environmental hazard and will not be tolerated in Wiltshire. This fixed penalty makes it clear to everyone that we take this issue very seriously."

She said: "We investigate all reports of abandoned vehicles and take formal action against the owners who dump their vehicles and consider it acceptable for taxpayers to foot the bill for responsible removal and disposal.”

Council enforcement officers received a complaint of a vehicle having been abandoned and traced the vehicle owner through their live DVLA system.

People can report abandoned vehicles using Wiltshire Council’s online reporting tool My Wiltshire or by calling 0300 456 0100.