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Banned haulier lands firm with suspension
Page 32
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New transport manager, Maxine Eccles, vows not to allow other operators' vehicles on the firm licence
A LIVERPOOL OPERATOR that allowed its licence to be used for almost two years by a bankrupt haulier, whose licence had been revoked, has had its licence suspended for a week by the North Western Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell, and its former transport manager has been stripped of his repute.
The TC told Greycourt Transport Services that Traffic Commissioners took a dim view of firms who allowed themselves to be used by unscrupulous individuals, and that such operators would face serious consequences.
The first day of the hearing had been adjourned because the TC wanted Greycourt's former transport manager. Arthur Stoddart, to appear before her.
Although no longer in the role of transport manager, he was still employed by the company. She said that Greycourt had some explaining to do about J & H Transport (North West) and Container Transport Services, and how it had allowed its licence to be used by Eric Mercer, which enabled him to continue operating and thus circumvent her decisions in regard to those companies (CM 14 February).
Management accountant Maxine Eccles said that she was to become Greycourt's transport manager. She understood fully that the company had acted foolishly and that she would refuse to put other operators' vehicles on the company's licence.
The TC said that Mercer fell into the category of an operator who was never going to comply with the legislation.
Greycourt director Joseph Murphy said he had met Mercer once, when he was in the office talking to Stoddart six months ago. Stoddart asked him if it would be possible to put Mercer's vehicles on the company's licence, since Mercer's reputation seemed to be good and that his maintenance and tachograph records were good.
It was said that Mercer had difficulty obtaining his own licence because of a short-term problem with his partner, which would soon be resolved.
Four Mercer vehicles were specified on the licence and were controlled by Stoddart.
They were insured by Mercer, who also gave the drivers their instructions.
He agreed that the company had gained a commercial advantage out of the arrangement, and that it had sub-contracted some work to Mercer.
Stoddart said he had been approached by Mercer in 2006, who was a friend of a friend. He was unaware Mercer had been made bankrupt.
The arrangement ended when Greycourt received the call-up letter to the public inquiry. He had stepped down as transport manager because he had made a huge mistake.
Holding that Stoddart had lost his repute as transport manager, the TC said that she found it difficult to decide whether or not he had been complicit or naive to the point of stupidity.
Eric Mercer and his colleagues had an appalling history. Road safety and fair competition had both been jeopardised, with Mercer continuing to make a living from haulage when the TC had excluded him from the industry. •