Coventry City Council clamps down on roadside car sales

People selling cars from the roadside are being targeted by Coventry City Council.



Residents have complained about "horrendous" problems caused by sales on Swan Lane and Sewall Highway, as well as in other areas of the city.

Labour MP Bob Ainsworth has also previously expressed his concern.

The council said a Coventry company selling cars was fined for breaching the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 on Thursday.

Joy Adams, an environmental health officer, said the council had carried out a review and would be looking to get more companies or individuals held to account.

"Originally we used one piece of legislation and it worked for a while. But we want to look at the council as a whole," she said, adding different departments would now work together.

'Absolutely horrendous'

"Last year we had about 168 complaints around the city and we have got finite areas in the city of hot spots where we still have got a problem.

"We're going to focus on the worst areas and pick out legislation and hit them hard to solve the problem at each site."

Resident Steve Bowen, 51, from Swan Lane, said: "It's been absolutely horrendous - the banging of the doors, the revving of the engines and just the consistency of it all going on any time of night or day.

"It's happening around the clock.

"There will only be so many people complain about these things because they don't know the avenues in which to complain."

'Extensive business'

Ms Adams added: "The harder legislation will be used for people who just completely ignore us and persistently cause a problem.

"We don't have a problem if you're an individual selling your car outside your own house. It's where it affects residents and causes a nuisance where there's a collective bunch of cars and people are selling them at 10 o'clock at night."

When talking about the issue in September, Mr Ainsworth, MP for Coventry North East, said he felt roadside car sales were damaging forecourt car traders.

"This is a proper and extensive business and it's been going on for some long time," he said.

"How on earth can you run a car sales business if you are renting car park space, paying your taxes, and competing with these boys?"