The owner of an orange Ford that “hasn’t been moved since 2021” has been asked by authorities to come forward.

Earlier this year, the abandoned pickup truck made headlines after the local authority was forced to track down the unclaimed vehicle again.

In March this year, the road was resurfaced for the first time in nearly 30 years, but the 9m by 3m area around the truck had to remain untouched – much to the annoyance of residents of Marina Gardens in Weymouth, Dorset.

Although it hasn’t been picked up in three years, the classic Ford truck is subject to a tax so it’s not considered abandoned – even if it has become a makeshift receptacle for dog poop that neighbors have to clean up.

Now Dorset Council has announced that it has “commenced legal action” to have the vehicle removed, but this will cost time and taxpayers’ money.

Earlier this year, the abandoned pickup truck made headlines after the local council was forced to recover the unclaimed vehicle.

Although it hasn’t been hauled away in three years, the classic Ford truck is taxed so it’s not considered abandoned – although it does become a makeshift dog poop bin that neighbors have to remove.

In March of this year, the road was repaved for the first time in nearly 30 years, but the 30-by-10-foot bare patch around the truck had to remain untouched.

The Council hopes that the owner will come forward and make a claim before any action has to be taken.

Now it looks as if there are bags lying around on the loading area of ​​the vehicle that the residents have to clear away. In addition, mold is forming under the truck.

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

He said: “The van never runs. It’s an eyesore. It’s awful and it’s even worse for my neighbours who are here all the time.”

“When I saw the new surface, I couldn’t believe it. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”

“I work in the construction industry myself and have my own company. I would have picked up the car, asphalted it and put it back again.”

“If it were up to me, I would put letters on every street around here saying: If you don’t pick up the car, we’ll send it to you.”

Mr Berry, another resident, said: “The company that did the tarmac work said it must be worth about £25,000.”

“It’s been there for three years, dumped there.”

“People have been knocking on my door wanting to buy it, it’s a collector’s item.”

“It ruins the view of the street. When it came it was pristine and now it’s dilapidated.

“People now just leave their dog poop bags there, use them as a trash can and we have to empty it.”

“It’s a real shame because it’s such a beautiful classic truck that’s been fully restored.

“All the neighbors around here are fed up.”

Dorset Council said it had “commenced legal proceedings” to have the vehicle removed, but said this would take time and taxpayers’ money.

One resident said: “The van never runs. It’s an eyesore. It’s horrible and even worse for my neighbors who are here all the time. When I saw the new surface I couldn’t believe it. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”

A neighbor claimed that people had knocked on his door and offered to buy the vintage car.

A Dorset Council spokesman said: “Before the resurfacing work took place, we asked residents to move their vehicles and everyone did so, except for the owner of this vehicle, unfortunately.”

“It is taxed, so it is not an abandoned vehicle and therefore has the right to be on this stretch of road. We are not allowed to access the owner’s details at the DVLA.

“We have initiated legal proceedings to enable the vehicle to be towed.”

“However, this costs time and money, so it would be more beneficial for Dorset council taxpayers if the owner complied with our request and simply drove his vehicle away.”

“If they are having difficulties, we encourage them to contact us.”