No second chance for firm
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II A Welsh haulier has been warned by Traffic Commissioner John Mervyn Pugh "there are no second chances with continuous licensing" despite facing only its first appearance at a public inquiry in its 25 years.
Brian Hicks Ltd, of Newport, had its licence renewed for 33 vehicles and 28 trailers, but was asked to submit all trucks except M and N-registered vehicles for fresh annual vehicle tests within 28 days and given a serious warning.
Mervyn Pugh said 10 prohibitions had been issued to Hicks' vehicles and trailers in the past two years and a report from vehicle examiners had not been totally satisfactory.
Managing director Brian Hicks told the Cardiff inquiry the company had a £2m turnover and was expanding. He said the maintenance problems in October and November last year were mainly with flatbed vehicles which were used for currying steel. lie accepted things had gone astray. He agreed he was mainly responsible as he had used the same maintenance system for some 20 years. He said he believed the vehicles used on overseas and long-haul work were "above average standard". Hicks said a drivers' daily nil defect reporting system was now in operation.