CPS withdraws Ball allegations
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• The international licence held by Ball of Madley
was renewed D,1 without restriction after the West Midland Deputy Traffic Commissioner was told that defects found on a vehicle by police officers were denied by the company.
The company, of Eaton Bishop, Hereford had sought renewal for six vehicles and two trailers.
For the company, Michael Carless said the licence had last been renewed at a public inquiry in September 1992, following maintenance problems. Compared to the past, the company now had a very good report from the vehicle examiner. Unfortunately, one or two prohibition notices had been issued, particularly for one vehicle.
vehicle by police officers in February The items on that prohibition were hotly contested and the Crown Prosecution Service had been persuaded to withdraw allegations that the vehicle was in a dangerous condition and that a front tyre was worn. A report from Michelin said that the tyre was not defective.
On two occasions in September, problems with load sensing valves appeared again. However, this was not an indication that the vehicle's maintenance system was still not what it ought to be, said Carless.
The vehicle examiner's conclusion was that there had been a definite improvement.
Dealing with three vehicles which were said not to be currently taxed, Carless said one vehicle was not in use at the moment as it was having its gross plated weight changed The other two vehicles were off the road. One was being replaced by a taxed vehicle.
Director Michael Ball gave an assurance that all the company's vehicles that were on the road were properly taxed one vehicle seen had not been taxed because they were waiting for it to be upgraded to 25 tonnes.
Renewing the licence, Sullivan said that he hoped not to see Ball at a public inquiry again.