Residents question who cleans up 'dangerous' crash mess

Residents are concerned at this car wreck which has been sitting roadside for more than 16 days, and question who will clean it up. Photo / George Novak

Western Bay residents are calling for answers after a car wreck was left at the roadside for more than 20 days - creating an eyesore and safety hazard, they say.

The wreck was located on a bend on the crest of Esdaile Rd's fog line. It had sat there crumpled and upside down since a crash, in which no one was injured, on March 31.

Only yesterday was the wreck removed, 23 days later, after the Western Bay of Plenty Council arranged to have it taken away at the owner's expense.

A resident, who spoke anonymously for fear of reprisal, said it was not good enough that the wreck had been left for so long.

The sight was upsetting for locals, especially young children on the school bus, who thought someone had died, she said.

The woman said the council had told her the wreck remained a crime scene, which meant it would not remove it unless instructed to do so by police. However, police said this was not the case. Meanwhile, the wreck was slowly being stripped of its parts and creating an eyesore. It was also "dangerous", she said.

"It's so close to the road, and it's on a bend," The woman said.

"I'm not a whinger but I feel strongly about this."

She said she had called the council seven times, as well as police.

A police spokeswoman confirmed the wreck was from a crash in which the two occupants "appear to have walked away and left the car there".

"Usually it would be the car owner's responsibility to arrange for removal of a car following a crash like this - it is normally arranged through their insurance company."

Western Bay District Council compliance and monitoring manager Alison Curtis said the council was first made aware of the wreck on April 4 and the delay in its removal was ultimately the fault of the vehicle owner.

Curtis said initial advice from police was that the crash was being investigated. The council was working with the owner for the car's removal but "removal by the owner has exceeded council's expectations".

She warned that although the council would remove the wreck, "it is not actioned as a priority".

Curtis said the council received four calls for the car's removal, but it was not considered dangerous.

"If the vehicle had been causing a road hazard, been unregistered and not owned, and there was not active cooperation for the vehicle removal, the council would have progressed removal for destruction."

A Western Bay of Plenty Council spokesman said the council had arranged for the vehicle to be removed yesterdayafter the owner failed to do so and will pursue the owner for costs.

Who cleans up after a crash?
Under the Local Government Act, councils can remove abandoned vehicles from public land (including reserves, road and road reserve). To be considered abandoned, the vehicle must not have a current registered owner and/or not owner contact can be established. Litter is covered under the Litter Control Act.