LETTER: Derelict Vehicles and Our Communities | Who’s Fixing This?

Dear Editor,

There have been a growing number of derelict vehicles across Antigua. These abandoned cars and trucks are scattered in residential areas, along roadways, and even near schools and businesses creating not only an eyesore but also a genuine public nuisance.

These vehicles have been left to deteriorate for years gathering rust, leaking fluids, attracting rodents and insects, and reducing property values in nearby communities.

For a country that relies heavily on tourism, the presence of these eye-crushing vehicles sends the wrong message to visitors and undermines efforts to keep our island clean and welcoming.

Derelict vehicles pose safety hazards, most particularly to children playing nearby and environmental threats due to leaking oil, fuel, and other toxins seeping into the ground.

I’m left to ask, Who’s responsible for taking old, abandoned and neglected vehicles from our community?

I urge the authorities to address this issue with urgency. There should be clear enforcement of vehicle disposal laws and consequences for those who abandon their vehicles in public spaces.

A coordinated effort between the government, local councils, and private sector (such as scrap and towing companies) could help remove these hazards efficiently.

Antigua and Barbuda is a beautiful nation, and we all have a role in protecting its appearance and health. Dealing with the problem of derelict vehicles is a step in the right direction.

Timothy Wilson