A pensioner has said it’s “appalling” that a vehicle has been left abandoned on a street in Shirley for more than a year.

A silver Hyundai Sonata has been motionless beside the car park of St James Road Methodist Church, in Bramston Road, for more than a year without being moved, despite a destruction notice being stuck to the car for most of that time.

In the time the vehicle has been abandoned, two of its tyres have gone flat and sunk to the ground, and weeds have grown along the roadside next to the car.

Speaking to the Echo, 81-year-old Don Skinner, said he first raised the issue with the council last year after first spotting the vehicle in 2024.

He said: “I think it’s absolutely appalling that nothing’s been done.

A silver Hyundai Sonata abandoned on Bramston Road (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Rubbish dumped under fly-tipping warning sign in Shirley

“The first destruction notice was put on the car six months ago, I don’t understand how nothing can be done in that time, the car has been there for over a year.

“Parents take their children to a play group nearby and the car is outside a church on a main road, the fact it’s been left there is disgusting.”

He added: “I’ve called the council, and they did tell me that several people have reported it, so it’s frustrating that there’s been such a delay.

“The first destruction notice said the vehicle would be removed in seven days.

“Then a new destruction notice was put on the windscreen over the weekend, and it said it was to be removed by Monday, but nothing’s happened.”

Shirley ward councillor for the Liberal Democrats, George Percival, told the Echo he’s contacted the abandoned vehicles team at Southampton City Council three times since January, and has told them to take action.

Shirley ward councillor, George Percival (Image: Newsquest) He said: “I was elected in October, but residents raised this issue with me in January. Since then, I’ve contacted the abandoned vehicles team three times.

“Myself and residents are all fed up with auto-reply emails and reference numbers.

“We want action, not excuses. I’m also dealing with a similar case on Howards Grove, where weeds are growing through the car.

“It’s time for cabinet members to hold their departments to account, only so much can be done from opposition. If they don’t want to do the job, I’ll happily do it for them.”

The destruction sticker displayed on the vehicle states: “The council propose to remove for destruction on the expiration of one day.”

The latest incident comes one month after the Echo reported on another abandoned vehicle in Shirley that had become a “haven” for the homeless.

An abandoned van was left in the car park next to Lumsden Mansions on Shirley Road, before Residential Management Group promised to remove the vehicle from the premises.

Southampton City Council were contacted for comment.