Motorists are being asked to think twice

Up to 50% of vehicles are not claimed and are towed to the crusher.

Glasgow has set a target of three days to remove dumped cars from the streets.

RAC Foundation chief executive Edmund King said: "Some of our roads now have the appearance of Steptoe's back yard.

"We are asking motorists to think twice before dumping their motors as they cause safety and environmental hazards.

"It also costs the council taxpayer, as local authorities have to pay thousands of pounds a year to remove the cars.

"The combination of falling values for used cars and scrap metal means that many motorists don't dispose of their vehicles properly.

Low scrap value

"Many cars are only worth �2 or �3 in scrap value, and often it would cost more in petrol to drive the banger to a scrap yard."

A spokeswoman for Edinburgh City Council said: "The number of abandoned vehicles is increasing in the city - mostly in the peripheral areas of housing schemes and on waste ground.

"We remove them from the streets in three days once we have checked with police.

"They go into a big compound until we can trace the owner or registered keeper."