Jinkies! Abandoned 'Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine' faces scrapyard as warning issued - Manchester Evening News

A quirky camper van resembling the iconic Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine has become the center of attention in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester. The white Elddis 300 Special Camper Van, adorned with pastel green paint and flower-power stickers giving off a distinct 1960s hippy vibe, was found abandoned on the corner of Spring Street and Thomas Street in Lees. What caught the council’s eye was the van’s missing registration plates, leading them to label it as an abandoned vehicle. As a result, Oldham Council issued a removal order and warned the vehicle’s owner to take action by November 23rd or face disposal. The situation sparked some light-hearted banter within the local community. Lees councillor Mark Kenyon humorously posted about the van in several social media groups, jokingly addressing “Scooby, Shaggy and the Gang,” pointing out that they’d forgotten the Mystery Machine and that the council was ready to dispose of it. This prompted a playful reply from a resident who quipped, “And they would have got away with it if it weren’t for those pesky councillors!” An environmental marshal taped a formal notice to the van, citing the Refuse Disposal Act of 1978. The note clearly stated that Oldham Council considered the vehicle abandoned and informed the owner to either move it to a legal storage place or dispose of it properly by the deadline. Failure to comply would result in the council removing and disposing of the van through appropriate channels. Interestingly, a resident stepped forward claiming ownership of the van. She sheepishly admitted that the missing registration plates were “in the post,” explaining that her intentions were more about capturing a hippy aesthetic rather than mimicking the famous Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine. This admission adds a personal touch to the story, showing that the vehicle wasn’t intentionally abandoned but caught up in a bureaucratic process nonetheless. Local authorities have clear powers to manage vehicles deemed abandoned on public roads or open land. If the owner cannot be identified or fails to act, the vehicle can be sold at auction or destroyed at an authorized facility. Neighbours who spot such vehicles are encouraged to report them through their local council’s website to ensure issues don’t linger and cause environmental or safety concerns. This lighthearted but nonetheless serious matter highlights the balance councils must strike between maintaining public spaces and respecting individual property. While the camper van’s unique design brought smiles and nostalgia to the community, administrative requirements and public safety take precedence. The deadline for action approaches, and the fate of this funky van hangs in the balance.