THE Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has welcomed the Government consultation on a range of new measures that will cut down on illegal car dumping.

The measures, which include giving local authorities access to DVLA records and more power to prosecute car dumpers, represent the first step in preventing thousands of vehicles being dumped by the side of the road each year.

However, the SMMT urges it to take immediate action to identify the large number of unregistered cars currently on UK roads.

Government estimates suggest this could be up to two million vehicles.

Until DVLA records are complete and accurate, owners who dump these unregistered cars will continue to slip through the net and evade prosecution, says the SMMT.

Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive, said: "Car dumping is a serious social problem and we are pleased that the Government is finally taking steps to address it.

"All vehicle owners have a responsibility to dispose their car in an environmentally responsible way and that message needs to be heard loud and clear."

On the issue of accurate records he said: "Tighter enforcement goes hand in hand with accurate records and while there are unregistered and untaxed vehicles on the road, irresponsible owners will continue to get away scot free with illegal car dumping."

The consultation also includes a proposal for continuous registration.

The SMMT supports the idea and would like to see it linked to certificates of destruction.

Under such a scheme owners would continue to pay vehicle excise duty (VED) until the car had been disposed off properly, either at a dismantler or a shredder, and a certificate of destruction issued.

The Government estimates that more than 350,000 cars were dumped in the UK in 2000. Consultation on proposed measures to cut down on car dumping ends on January 31 2002.