Operator loses licence appeal
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An Erith haulier who persistently failed to respond to letters from the Area Traffic Office has lost his appeal against the revocation of his licence. Ronald Hayes, who trades as B&S Tyre & Courier Services, did not reply to a number of letters from the Traffic Office following concerns over where one of his trucks was parked.
The Tribunal was told how Hayes had held a licence for use of two vehicles, when It came to the IC's attention that one was being left at Dartford when not in use. The Traffic Office had written to Hayes at his address in Barnehurst, requesting a reply, but the letter was returned marked "gone away". Further letters were sent to Hayes' home address, operating centre, a previous address and the Dartford address, The licence was revoked after no response was received.
Addressing the Tribunal. Hayes argued the TO had been wrong to rely on a complaint by a neighbour to justify revocation, He maintained he was not using the Dartford premises as an operating centre, and insisted he had moved home and sent a change of address card to the Traffic Area Office. He did not understand why the first letter had been returned by the new occupiers, who had promised to forward his post.
But in dismissing the appeal, the Tribunal said it was satisfied the IC had taken all reasonable steps to correspond with Hayes. In the face of his failure to respond, the IC was eft with no option but to revoke the licence,