Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

The Department of Waste Management (DWM), formerly the Solid Waste Department (SWD) is faced with an uphill task of removing derelict vehicles which are left along the Territory's roads.

In its 2011 annual report, the department stated that although at times to the public it may seem as though the department was not moving derelict vehicles, in 2011 approximately 675 derelict vehicles were collected on Tortola and in Virgin Gorda, approximately 70.

However, according to the report, the problem with the process is a re-occurring one, as removed vehicles are quickly replaced on the streets with others.

In its report, the department also stated that despite the challenges, the derelict vehicles program continued with much success last year. The department said notices continued to be served on derelict vehicles on both public and private properties, with the majority of which were left along the Territory's roads and on expiration of the notices, the vehicles were removed.

"The benefits derived from this cannot be overstated as such vehicles are a health nuisance as they aid in the breeding of vermin which transmits diseases," the report stated.

For the year 2011, 276 notices were placed on derelict vehicles and of those notices, 240 vehicles were removed from the site of the complaint. According to the report, it should be noted that some of those vehicles were removed by the owners, while the rest were transported to the derelict vehicle site in Sea Cows Bay by wrecker operators.

The department report further stated that at the end of 2011, there existed a little over 100 derelict vehicles at the Virgin Gorda storage site to be transported to Tortola for processing at the Sea Cows Bay site. The reported stated that it was not possible to ship them in that year due to insufficient funds to cover the cost of such an operation; and it was anticipated that it would have been done in the early part of this year.

According to the department, 24 forty feet trailers were shipped out of the Territory containing approximately 640 old vehicles and a large quantity of bulky scrap metal.

According to the report, in 2011 ENS Excavating continued to process derelict vehicles and other scrap metal on the Sea Cows Bay site.

"Their five year contract with the Government expired in February 2011. They however asked to continue using the site and processing the derelicts and scrap metal at no charge to Government until the end of September 30, 2011. Permission was given to proceed; however, no formal agreement was ever signed to cover the arrangement," the report stated.

At the end of 2011, ENS Excavating continued operating on the site.