LOCAL RESIDENTS — led by a driver from a competing
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firm — have failed to block Lex Wilkinson's application for an operator's licence for its Massey Ferguson contract in Coventry.
Lex Wilkinson won authority to base 11 vehicles and 22 trailers at the tractor manufacturer's plant to service a supermarket-style nominated carrier contract (CM, October 19) to deliver suppliers' components into the works.
It told West Midland Licensing Authority Ronald Jackson that it would halve the movement of lorries at the factory and was an environmental advantage, but residents complained that there would be greater noise if the lorries were based at the factory.
Arthur Statham, spokesman for Broad Lane residents, maintained that the compound was only 30m from Broad Lane. That was totally disputed by the company.
Statham said that he worked as an HGV driver for Harry Skelton Transport. Other operators had tried the Massey Ferguson work and had failed to make a success of it. He did not see why Lex Wilkinson should do any better.
Jackson said that even if he refused the application, the Massey Ferguson contract would still be carried out by Lex Wilkinson. He suspected that Statham's representation might well have been motivated by a desire for Skeltons to do the work.