Action call over car tax

MP Norman Baker has criticised the lack of action taken to prosecute owners of untaxed vehicles parked in Newhaven and Seaford

Elphick Road in Newhaven and Alfriston Road and Sandore Road in Seaford have been recognised as car tax-dodging hotspots.

Seaford townspeople in particular have complained about residential roads being used by car dealers to park their untaxed vehicles, taking scarce parking spaces and causing traffic chaos.

Mr Baker said: 'I have received a large number of complaints about untaxed vehicles. In some cases they appear to have been on the public highway for months without any action being taken.

The MP had written to police and met Acting Chief Constable Maria Wallis, to no avail.

'The police are reluctant to give this any sort of priority at all, saying it is a matter for the DVLA, he said.

'While I understand that there are many more important calls on their time, it is ludicrous to rely on a quango based in Swansea to deal with offences in Seaford and Newhaven.

In an attempt to resolve the problem he has now raised the matter in a parliamentary question to the Home Secretary, David Blunkett.

'If the police cannot find the resources to deal with this, then responsibility for enforcement should be transferred to either East Sussex County or Lewes District Council. Relying on the DVLA is an open encouragement to car owners to avoid paying their car tax in the knowledge that justice, if it comes at all, will be very far behind.