MORE than 40 untaxed and abandoned cars – plus caravans – have been removed by Bradford Council from the district's streets in the past three months.

Delegated powers granted to the council in December enable it to shift, store and dispose of such vehicles from roads and open land.

So far this year, the council’s traffic and enforcement team has removed 44 vehicles and seven caravans.

Twenty of the vehicles were subsequently taxed and collected by their owners. Five remain impounded, and 19 have been crushed.

Bradford is only the second local authority in West Yorkshire to be granted the powers, which also allow for action against people using public highways to store vehicles for sale.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, says: "These powers allow us to tackle abandoned vehicles and those causing a nuisance. And vehicles which are untaxed may also be unroadworthy, unregistered and uninsured.

"The action taken so far sends a clear message that we will act to remove these illegal vehicles from our roads. Operations will be continuing across the district throughout the year."

People can report untaxed and abandoned vehicles in the Bradford district by calling 01274 431000.