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Keep your promises warns TC
Page 22
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A County Durham haulier who was granted a licence in his own name despite maintenance problems has been told that he must live up to his promises.
North Eastern Traffic Commissioner Tom Macartney warned David Ames that he would risk serious action if he did not stick to an undertaking to keep his fleet in good order.
Ames, trading as Durham Bulk Haulage of Bishop Auckland, had been operating under interim authority and had sought a new national licence for six vehicles and six trailers.
Vehicle examiner Gordon Whittaker said Ames had been managing director and transport manager of STS Northern; 10 prohibition notices and two refusals to clear had been issued to that company's vehicles since December 1999. It had received a warning at a public inquiry in December 2000. Since then there had been four prohibition notices and one refusal to clear.
Following Ames' application for a licence in his own name, a maintenance investigation was carried out in May. A vehicle and trailer were examined, both of which were satisfactory. Whittaker agreed that Ames was now operating a modern fleet.
Chris Harris, representing Ames, said his client realised there had to be rapid changes following the December public inquiry. He needed to replace what was an old, tired fleet.
Ames. who had decided to start afresh as a sole trader, emphasised that he now had six brand new vehicles, all on contract maintenance, and had acquired four new traders.