Abandoned car in 40-minute bay in Conwy for months
A car has been parked in a 40-minute waiting bay in Conwy for four months but police and council staff say they have no powers to move it.
The white N-reg Volkswagen Polo is in the medieval town's busy high street.
But it is not causing an obstruction and its tax runs out at the end of the month.
Police and Conwy council said that means they have no powers to tow it away and they cannot trace the owner.
However, when the tax disc runs out next week they will be able to serve notice to remove it.
Andy Nelson, head chef at the Castle Hotel in Conwy High Street, called the car an "eyesore".
"Such a historic town as Conwy, you've got a beautiful castle, and historic buildings such as Plas Mawr and Aberconwy House, and then you've got that carbuncle sitting there.
"It's been there since the end of November. I think it's ridiculous," he added.
Mr Nelson said that it may not be causing an obstruction, but the way it is parked leaves no room for another car in front of it.
"So when people do try and park there, they block our entrance and don't leave enough room for deliveries."
The car is locked but has been there for so long that mould is starting to grow on the seats.
Conwy council traffic wardens have now stopped putting tickets on the car.
North Wales Police said it is registered to an address in Cheshire, and that they have tried to trace the owner, but without success.
Once the tax runs out on 31 March, it can serve a notice to remove it within 28 days, a spokesperson said.
Local councillor Joan Vaughan, Conwy Council's cabinet member for infrastructure, said the abandoned car was "a mystery".
"We would really like to get it moved, but until it can be classed as an abandoned vehicle, we can't do anything.
"If we can't trace the owner, I'm not holding my breath that we'll see any payment for the parking tickets it has run up," she added.