The owners of an ‘abandoned’ Ford pick-up truck have been given a deadline to move it after workers were force to tarmac around it during resurfacing works. 

The classic-style Ford truck came to the attention of the council earlier this year when residents of Marina Gardens, in Weymouth, Dorset, were asked to move their vehicles for upcoming roadworks.

But the owner of the truck was nowhere to be seen, leaving contractors with no choice but to leave a 30ft by 10ft patch around the vehicle unsurfaced — prompting complaints from residents that the work was a waste of taxpayers money. 

Locals say the truck has not been moved in about three years, but it is taxed so it is not legally abandoned.

Now, Dorset Council has warned that the truck could be moved by November under the Road Traffic Regulation Act, if the owner does not come forward.

The owners of an ‘abandoned’ Ford pick-up truck have been given a deadline to move it after workers were force to tarmac around it during resurfacing works

It came to the attention of the council after residents were asked to move their vehicles for upcoming roadworks, but the owner of the orange truck was nowhere to be seen 

Locals say the truck has not been moved in about three years, but it is taxed so it is not legally abandoned

The road was resurfaced for the first time in almost 30 years in March, but the bare patch around the truck had to be left untouched.

Residents said the council should have it towed away as no-one had seen it moved since at least June 2021.

The vehicle now appears to have become a dog poo bin, with bags discarded in the back, which other residents have to tidy up. There is also mould growing underneath the truck.

Carl Jones owns a holiday home in Marina Gardens and has been coming down from the Midlands for three years.

He said: ‘That van never moves. It’s an eyesore. It is terrible and it is worse for my neighbours who are here all of the time.

‘When I saw the resurfacing I could not believe it, I have never seen anything like that in my life.

‘I am in construction myself, I have my own company. I’d have picked the wagon up, tarmacked and then put it back.

The road was resurfaced for the first time in almost 30 years in March, but the bare patch around the truck had to be left untouched

Residents said the council should have it towed away as no-one had seen it moved since at least June 2021.

‘If it was me I would put letters out every road near here and say if you don’t claim the car it is going.’

Mr Berry, another resident, added: ‘The company who did the tarmacking said it must be worth about £25,000.

‘It has been there for three years, dumped there.

‘I have had people knocking on my door wanting to buy it, it is a collector’s item.

‘It ruins the view of the road. When it came, it was immaculate and now it has gone to rack and ruin.

‘People now just leave their dog poo bags now, they use it like a bin and we have to clear it out.

The vehicle now appears to have become a dog poo bin, with bags discarded in the back, which other residents have to tidy up

Residents have also said there is mould growing underneath the truck 

‘It is such a shame really because it is such a nice classic truck that was fully restored.

‘All of the neighbours round here are fed up with it.’

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: ‘We are applying for a Clearway Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice (TTRN) under Section 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, to prohibit stopping, loading, parking, and waiting.

‘In order to comply with statutory noticing periods, the Clearway TTRN takes thirteen weeks to enact, as such we anticipate completion by the end of October.

‘If this vehicle still remains on site and obstructs our work, it can then be towed away under this notice to a designated collection area.’