40 Unlicensed Lorries Working on New Doncaster By-pass
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A N admission by Spa Haulage, Ltd., Northampton, that they had started "using 40 unlicensed vehicles for work on the new Doncaster By-pass, brought a severe reprimand from Mr. J. H. E. Randolph, Yorkshire Deputy Licensing Authority, at Leeds on Monday. He warned them that proceedings might be taken against them.
On behalf of the company, Mr. W. A. Goodier, their general agent, asked for 40 vehicles on contract-A licence to George Greenland and Sons, Ltd., Halifax, to carry road construction materials. Greenland were not represented, but Mr. Goodier stated that they had guaranteed to employ each vehicle to the value of £90 a month.
Ten of their vehicles were on C licences which had been issued by the
East Midland Authority. All the vehicles had been carrying shale for some dine, without any sanction. At this point, Mr. Goodier was told that he need say no more on this matter—it might be taken down and used in evidence.
MT. Randolph observed that there had been some disturbing trends in the haulage industry concerning owner-drivers who had obtained vehicles for construction work through hire-purchase companies. He realized this work was of national importance, but for the sake of other operators the licensing laws had to be observed. He was, however, satisfied that the Spa Haulage vehicles would be exclusively used by Greenland, that they would be fully and economically utilized and that a genuine contract did exist.
The application had been made by Spa Haulage on March 3, but the contract had been drawn up to run from March 1, 1960, to February 28, 1961. A prima facie case had been made out, but it still had to be decided whether or not the applicants were fit to hold a contract-A licence. Public need was paramount in this case, and on this •basis the licence . Was granted, but, said Mr. Randolph, the applicants had no excuse for infringing the licensing laws.
Two applications were then submitted by Mr. D. Howe and Mr. R. I. Smith, both for contract-A licences with D. A. Stevenson, Ltd., Birmingham, for the carriage of household fuel. Three vehicles were involved, and investigation revealed that one lorry belonging to each owner was on C licence issued by the East Midland Authority to Spa Haulage.
Mr. Smith said that his vehicles had been working for Spa Haulage on road construction until February 6, 1960. He had been an owner-driver and had been responsible to a hire-purchase company for his vehicles.
He said that he knew nothing about one vehicle still being licensed .to Spa. Now the road construction work had ended he 'wanted to enter coal haulage. The vehicle had always belonged to him via the hire-purchase company. The representative of Spa Haulage had left the court by this time and it was impossible to recall Mr. Goodier.
A licence for one vehicle was granted to Mr. Smith, but Mr. Randolph said that nothing could be done about the other two licensed to Spa Haulage. Mr. Howe, who sought one vehicle, was in a similar situation to Mr. Smith, and both men should contact Spa Haulage to explain the situation, added the Authority.
The East Midland Authority would have to be asked to strike two vehicles off the Spa Haulage licences in that area.