Removal, storage and disposal of vehicles regulations: consultation

1. Foreword by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform

This consultation document seeks views on new levels of charges applied to the removal, storage and disposal of vehicles in Scotland. These charges will apply where the police or local authority have cause to remove or recover a vehicle in particular sets of circumstances. The vast majority of these recoveries are carried out on behalf of the police under the Vehicle Recovery Scheme managed by a managing agent using various recovery operators across Scotland.

Removals ordered by the police are necessary in a variety of situations including enforcing the law and also to remove obstructions and potential dangers. In some cases the police may need to remove a vehicle for forensic examination. The local authority may also require to remove vehicles in circumstances where vehicles have become abandoned or are parked in contravention with the law.

The charges were last subject of a review in 2005 and since this time there have been inflationary and increased costs applied to this type of work. We feel it is now time to review the charges to ensure that they are fair both to those carrying out the recoveries and to those whose vehicles are being recovered.

This public consultation is to allow adequate consideration to be given prior to regulations being laid before Parliament to introduce revised charges. We look forward to hearing your views.

Michael Matheson
Cabinet Secretary for Justice
&
Roseanna Cunningham
Cabinet Secretary for the Environment
Climate Change and Land Reform