Conwy Council clampdown on people selling cars on the roadside

Sep 2 2010 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

AN ANGRY motorist has complained after he was given a ticket by a council traffic warden for having a for sale sign on his car while it was parked on the road.

The man, who doesn’t want to be named, says he had no idea it was an offence to advertise the car while it was parked on a street in Craig-y-Don and objects to being told he will be prosecuted.

“I was shocked to find a notice on the car saying I would be prosecuted under the Environment Act. I’ve seen loads of other cars on the streets with for sale notices on them and didn’t know I was doing anything wrong. I think this is very heavy handed of the council.

“The vehicle wasn’t causing an obstruction. People park their cars on the pavements around here and I don’t see them getting fined,” he complained.

But Phil Rafferty head of the council’s regulatory services department said they regularly get complaints from residents about cars for sale by the roadside.

“Some garages and businesses place cars for sale on the street. This can cause nuisance to local residents and takes up valuable car parking spaces. The same is true with vehicles that are repaired on the street, which can look unsightly, lead to damage of the local environment, for example when oil is spilled or leaked, and may also present a danger to passers by.

“Under the provisions of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 it is now an offence to expose or advertise for sale two or more motor vehicles parked on a road or roads within 500 metres of each other,” he explained.

But he said the notice put on the CraigyDon man’s car had probably been issued under another Act of Parliament.

“In addition to the restrictions on selling two or more vehicles, the council can also use powers relating to street trading granted by the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 where any vehicles are offered for sale on designated prohibited or consent streets.

“A person who does not have written consent issued by Conwy County Borough Council who sells goods, or offers or exposes goods for sale in a consent street commits an offence under the Act,” he added.