Abandoned car on Dancers Hill (Roads)

Wed 17 Sep, 14:18

Maybe they will now remove the white mini parked on Church Street that has had no MOT since the 1st July, and yes, it has been reported to the police as having no MOT on the 12th August.

Wed 17 Sep, 13:24

well done John i didnt have to send the boys in after all chris wastie

Tue 16 Sep, 18:36

Good. Maybe this will give a bit more parking space, and stop the motorist who park dangerous half way up the hill. Very dangerous and possibly ilegal practice. John H

Tue 16 Sep, 16:50

Hurrah!

Tue 16 Sep, 12:51

Did anyone get any parts off it!?

Tue 16 Sep, 11:35

I completed a report to Chipping Norton Police via TVP during the night. A police officer arrived this morning, arranged its removal and waited until it was loaded up and taken away. I thanked the police. The police still have no record of the owner so will contact WODC to find out who they have contacted as the owner.

A good result at last !

Tue 16 Sep, 11:25

We have a result - it's been taken away. Three cheers! 

Tue 16 Sep, 11:13

As I write Cotswold Vehicle Recovery, under the watchful eyes of a WPC from TVP and a couple of neighbours, is loading the car to haul it away -hopefully to the big car park n the sky.. 

Tue 16 Sep, 08:24

OK, thank you all, that is very helpful, I will pass that on to the team and ask them to investigate why the various reports have not been followed up.  There is clearly a fault in the system which needs to be addressed.  But hopefully it will be resolved shortly.

Mon 15 Sep, 18:25

My WODC reference number for this abandoned vehicle report is 02151740. I have reported it on 27/8/25, 11/9/25 and 15/9/25 using this same reference number. They acknowledged receipt of multiple photos of the car and its location, including the Mount Pleasant name plate. WODC are well aware of the current location of this vehicle and how long it has been causing increasing concern. It was illegally driven round here and then illegally and unsafely  parked. Why are our authorities so feeble in their responses ?

Mon 15 Sep, 17:50

Liz, the message I received from WODC gave a reference number of 02143519 but that may relate to the phone call I made a month or so back, enquiring about the progress - or lack of - in removing the car.

There are two yellow notices attached to the windscreen, the first is dated 22 July 25 and timed at 15.45 with a hand written ref number not shown in my photograph. The second notice is dated 30 July and timed 12.35 with a hand written ref 0212093*.. The last digit is not in my frame but is clearly of a sequence and must be between 4 and 9. I repeat my question/comment; Why threaten removal/destruction within seven days and not follow that through?    

Mon 15 Sep, 17:41

Given that Publica had twice posted notices on the car on behalf of WODC, I don't see how WODC can claim that they didn't know anything about the abandoned car.

As Brian Murray reported on 31 July on the "Genius Parking" thread, there were 2 yellow notices on the windscreen of the car:  "placed by Publica on behalf of WODC, advising of vehicle destruction unless removed within seven days. Clearly whoever left the car isn’t totally stupid as he knows how to play the system. One notice is dated 22 July when the car was on Woodfield Drive and the other is dated 30 July after the car was moved to Dancers Hill on the 29th."

The 2 notices are clearly visible in Brian's photo, as well in John Munro's photo of 15 August. 

Brigid Study also posted on 31 July (on a different thread) that Wesley Smith of the police "said he had contacted WODC and asked them to speed up the process (perhaps cancelling out the promise of 7 days' grace on the yellow notice)."

If WODC's internal systems can't track these 2 notices down, something has gone very wrong.

Mon 15 Sep, 16:32 (last edited on Mon 15 Sep, 17:31)

I have just heard back from officers and somewhat mysteriously, they do not have a record of the car being reported back in July.   If the person who reported it could please let me have the case number I will take that up with them. 

In any case this is now registered and I am assured that arrangements have been made for the car to be collected. I'm not sure when but I've asked for an update as soon as they know what is happening

For future reference, please can you use this link to report an abandoned vehicle.  https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/environment/abandoned-vehicles/

That way WODC will be able to raise a case and deal with it. You will then be given a case number which you can use if you need to make enquiries about progress.

Mon 15 Sep, 15:15

Wes Smith said at the end of July that there was no current registered owner. It's perhaps possible that the car was stolen or newly acquired and an owner has now been located, but if so they still haven't insured the car.

When you look online at the history of the car, you can see how many times the car failed its MOT and on what grounds (brakes and tyres feature strongly). If you want to check with DVLA its number plate is NC05 VGZ.

The mystery is how it did eventually pass its MOT on 5 March 2024, having failed on numerous grounds (including brakes and tyres) on March 1 2024 at an MOT testing station, probably located about 60 miles away (given the extra miles on the clock). It's been without an MOT since 4 March 2025, and without insurance since 30 November 2024.

The owner is likely to be prosecuted by the police and fined up to £1000 if they are spotted moving the car without first insuring it. As of today, it's still not insured. To insure it, have it pass an MOT and repair it is surely going to cost a lot.

If the reason that WODC says they haven't removed the car and destroyed it is that they fear being sued, then I think it would be sensible to threaten to sue WODC if the car causes the damage that might occur at any time. It's SO dangerous, and liable to cost WODC much more if it damages pedestrians and/or other cars or buildings.

Unless WODC has evidence that the newly identified owner has a history of suing councils for scrapping vehicles that lack insurance and MOTs, this makes no sense at all! 

Mon 15 Sep, 14:20

I have sent a message to WODC to remind them that the car is still on the road but haven't had a reply

Mon 15 Sep, 14:01

Should the road be closed ? This would make essential access to Tanners Court difficult. Cones? Any thoughts?

Mon 15 Sep, 13:56

The tyres are now deflating with the risk of the car rolling over the 2 ( not 4) small stones increasing. The car is now a serious hazard to people and their property. I have phone WODC again today. The owner was notified on 11/9/25 and no date is recorded for how long they have to remove it. No tax, mot or sorn but the council fear being sued if they remove it without permission, hence their inaction !! I have made it clear that the car is now a hazard. I have updated Wes Smith at Chipping Norton Police Station who has 5 days to reply. Why was locating the owner so delayed ?

Mon 15 Sep, 13:34

any car thats been left on the high way without a valid mot & expired road tax should be removed by occ & the keeper of that vehicle given a stiff fine   Chris Wastie

Sat 13 Sep, 21:09 (last edited on Sun 14 Sep, 08:59)

I agree with you, Christine, and as ever, you put facts and figures together so clearly.

I think this has gone on long enough, we’ve been misled somewhere along the line.  I propose a strongly worded letter to our MP be considered.

Sat 13 Sep, 17:42

Interesting that WODC has now said that they have been in touch with the registered keeper, given that on 31 July Brigid Sturdy reported that the local Police (Wesley Smith) said that he could not act because there is no registered keeper. 

See the thread https://www.charlbury.info/forum/13627 

The car is still without a valid MOT and is still untaxed! It's a danger and should be removed forthwith and, if there is still no registered owner, simply scrapped. Apparently, it's WODC, not the Police, which has the responsibility for abandoned cars. 

Unless it's removed immediately, I think an email to our MP might be required.

Sat 13 Sep, 12:51

Thank you Brian, this car has now been in this spot since late July when it was brought round from Woodfield Drive and dumped so dangerously. The brakes are clearly not working and the strap is no longer hooked to the drain in front of it. The chock stones are small and digging into the tyres. 

I am fed up with this situation. The owner should be prosecuted not just contacted by the Council to ask them to arrange its removal which I suspect will be complicated.

If it is still there on Monday then I will call the police. If it rolls down Dancers Hill it will severely damage the cars at the bottom and kill or injure anyone in its way. I am at work or I would call today.

Sat 13 Sep, 08:58

Alison, On Thursday I also received an email from WODC who are trying my patience. They wrote - "Thank you for your patience while we have been investigating this vehicle. We have contacted the registered keeper and are now arranging for the removal of the vehicle".

On 31 July I drew this to the attention of the District Council. I phoned WODC in mid-August. I spoke 'face to face' about it on 31 August and I have recently made enquiries of the Local Government Ombudsman who might give WODC a severe jolt. 

In the mean time young and old are being forced to walk in the road. Had a car been left on one of the roads in or out of Dean, prior to the arrival of JDV, it would have been removed inside an hour.

One last thing Alison, if you have not deleted the email from WODC, you can give your opinion of their service by clicking on a green smiley face or a red growling face. The 'red' opens a window enabling you to really tell them what you think of their service

Fri 12 Sep, 22:27

Update yesterday from my report to the council and reminder that the car is still blocking the pavement and held on the hill by 4 small stones!‘  We have been in touch with the registered keeper and are now arranging removal of the vehicle’ . 

Fri 12 Sep, 13:43

Thanks, John.

Fri 12 Sep, 11:00

I have reported to  the Town Council, they are on the case. John H 

Fri 12 Sep, 09:32

 Can anyone tell me? Is anything going to happen about the removal of this dumped car?