Residents block extra site
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• Residents have succeeded in blocking a Bolton haulier's bid to set up an alternative operating centre.
Chris Cheetham, trading as C&C Haulage, had sought authority to base three vehicles at Century Mill, George Street, Bolton. After Cheetham had conceded he had been using the site without authority, after being told that it was suitable by a vehicle examiner, North Western Traffic Commissioner Keith Waterworth pointed out that he had been committing a criminal offence for which he could be fined a maximum of £2,500 per vehicle. Prior approval had to be obtained and not just from the local vehicle examiner, said the Commissioner.
Cheetham said he had decided to use the site when the rent was doubled at his current operating centre, Hipwood & Grundy's premises in Farnworth, although he still wanted to retain that site
on his licence. He added that two other operators were already licensed at the George Street site.
Three residents expressed concern about noise, particularly from early morning starts, and about road safety and traffic congestion. They conceded that many of their problems were caused by visiting vehicles.
Traffic examiner John Green halgh said the only entrance and exit was via a gateway only 5.5m wide, with poor sight lines.
He considered that an increase in the volume of heavy vehicle traffic would be dangerous and would have an environmental impact. He agreed that rigid vehicles could turn right into the site without apparent difficulty
Cheetham said he operated eight-wheeled rigid crane vehicles carrying bricks and blocks. Nine times out of 10 his vehicles turned right into the site; they went out and returned once a day. His work had altered and there was no longer any need for early morning starts: if an occasion did arise he would park the vehicle at Hipwood & Grundy's.
Refusing the application after visiting the site, the Commissioner said he considered it to be unsuitable as an operating centre because of the dangerous exit.
The position of the other licence holders would be looked at on their review dates if there were any complaints.