Haulier `couldn't recall VI advice'
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A South Yorkshire haulier which has collected a series of prohibition notices since being granted a licence 12 months ago has had its licence authority halved.
AWK Plant (Rotherham) appeared before North Eastern Deputy Traffic Commissioner Brian Horner. The company holds a licence for two vehicles, and withdrew an application for an extra vehicle.
Vehicle examiner John Williams said he had examined one vehicle in August without prior notice, and had issued a delayed prohibition. No completed inspection records could be produced. though there was a satisfactory driver defect reporting system.
One immediate prohibition, three delayed prohibitions and two variation notices had been imposed on the company's vehicles in a very short period. he added.
Sole director Arthur Kimpton told the deputy TC the transport of plant was very much a sideline to the company's main business. shotblasting. One of the two vehicles had recently been stolen. and he had no plans to replace it as the transport side was going downhill, The maintenance of the remaining vehicle had been contracted out.
Asked about convictions for unauthorised use and not using a tachograph, for which the company had been fined £900 with £85 costs, Kimpton said the company had been operating the vehicle concerned for a few years, but he had thought it was too small to require an 0licence. That vehicle was being replaced by a van.
Maintaining he could not remember the vehicle examiner giving him advice in April, Kimpton said: "I'm not saying he hasn't: I just can't remember:" After Kimpton said he was suffering from an eye problem, the Deputy IC replied that there would have been insufficient funds for a third vehicle in any event, adding: "You have got yourself into a bit of a mess."
Asked whether he really wanted to carry on with the business. Kimpton replied: "I've not much option, really, it is in my blood." But Horner told him: "I don't think I would be doing you a favour by letting you carry on." Curtailing the licence to one vehicle on condition it was inspected and tested before being used, the Deputy IC warned that if the company appeared before him again he would be likely to revoke its licence.
"If your vehicle is not in good condition, my advice to you is to surrender your licence," he told Kimpton.