Freight forwarders Associated Haulage (Liverpool), which had been given until
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the beginning of the year to put its house in order or face having its licence revoked, has been granted an increase in its vehicle authorisation.
North Western Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell had been considering disciplinary action against the company's two-vehicle licence, together with Its application to increase the licence authorisation to three vehicles and one trailer, following two unsatisfactory maintenance investigations.
On the first day of the hearing it was said that managing director and tran
sport manager Paul Clarke had obtained his CPC through "grandfather rights". The TC commented that in her view this was just a piece of paper.
She was more interested in how the obligations were being fulfilled. She directed the Vehicle Inspectorate to investigate the company's tachograph records, saying she would have been justified in revoking the licence but had
been assured that matters would improve. (CM 11-20 Dec MOO).
Appearing for the company, transport consultant Chris Harris said they had not been surprised that the tachograph check had thrown up a number. of discrepancies. The company's staff had since attended a training session on the hours and tachograph regulations and daily walk-round checks.
Granting the increase after hearing the firm's undertakings about maintenance and chart analysis, the TC said: "In November it was as plain as a pikestaff that Mr Clarke was not fulfilling his obligations. The situation today is very different and Mr Clarke has put his house in order."