Council plans to dislodge haulier • South Wales Traffic Commissioner
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John Mervyn Pugh adjourned a disciplinary and licence renewal hearing until February when he heard that Collingbourne Contractors (Cwmbran) had lost its appeal against an enforcement notice requiring it to quit its operating centre.
The company's application to renew its licence, for 10 vehicles and five trailers based at Collstar Farm, Malthouse Lane, Llantarnam, was opposed by Gwent County Council.
Director Roger Collingbourne said he had been trying to find alternative premises. If he was unsuccessful, he would have to terminate the business. For the council, Shaun Jamieson said the site was being used illegally. The company had had since 1989 to look for an alternative site.
Jonathan Lawton, for Coilingbourne, said he was not certain what the council hoped to achieve. If it wanted to put the company out of business, it should go to the magistrates.
Indicating that planning matters were not his concern, Mervyn Pugh said that the enforcement notice did not invalidate the Operator's Licence. The council could take steps to enforce the notice, and if successful impose a daily penalty. If the notice was enforced it was up to the company to find an alternative operating centre.
Pointing out that the duration of the company's licence had been cut at a public inquiry in August 1991, Pugh said that since then there had been a further immediate prohibition listing five defects. When the vehicle was presented for clearance the prohibition was varied because further defects were found.
Pugh said that he wanted the company's vehicles to go through fresh annual tests within a week. He warned that if its vehicles attracted any more prohibitions indicating neglect, its licence would probably be revoked.