'Ownerless' van dumped on Gosport street corner causes problems for drivers

An empty van has been sitting stationary by Leventhorpe Court in Elmhurst Road, Gosport, for six months, according to locals.

The vehicle, which does not have an MoT and is not taxed according to the government’s website, is in a ‘one-hour stay’ zone.

Electrician Robert Akhurst lives in the area, and has found the van to be a nuisance.

The 69-year-old said: ‘It has been there right back since the coronavirus pandemic started. We have even had rough sleepers use it for a home.

‘About four weeks ago some people were seen fly-tipping a lot of broken-up furniture and an old fridge in the back, and it is now filled right up with rubbish.

‘Some people think ‘why go to the tip when this is here’ and so they do it.’

The owner of the van is not yet known but it has been a hazard for drivers in the area.

Mr Akhurst says his wife has had a near miss due to the van obscuring the junction.

He said: ‘Cars are turning into the road at high speeds, they’re doing 20 or 30 and they could go straight into you.

‘We live in the court so as you drive out, the van’s blocking the view. You have to inch out slowly.

‘My wife nearly had the front of the car hit a couple of times.’

A spokesman from Gosport Borough Council said: ‘The vehicle in question is not abandoned.’

It is unclear for how long the van will remain in its position but it remains to be filled with scraps and still has no known owner among residents.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news online - as well as our new Puzzles section.