Norbert Dentressangle (1119 may lose repute over hours
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II by Mike Jewell The future of Norbert Dentressangle (UK) is in the balance following the company's appearance before a Traffic Commissioner for hours offences on the Continent, and the issue of 18 prohibition notices against its Eastern Area licence since August 1997.
The company, which changed its name from Aston Clinton Haulage and is now the umbrella company for the French giant's UK operations, holds a licence in the Eastern Area for 63 trucks and 63 trailers.
In April 1995 convictions for drivers' hours and tachograph offences led to the authorisation on Aston Clinton's licence being cut to 65 vehicles for six months (CM13-19 April 1995).
In addition to considering action against the company TC Geoffrey Simms is also considering the repute of the two nominated transport managers, Dennis Weller and director David Fowler.
There will be no mandatory finding that the company has lost its repute because a number of the prohibitions were a significant time ago. But Simms has the power to make such a finding because of the hours offences. This would hit the company's entire UK operations because what were previously separate subsidiaries have all been brought under the umbrella of Norbert Dentressangle (UK).
UK managing director Peter Cvetkovic says the UK is the company's second biggest market after France and stresses that it is committed to being professional in the UK.
Traffic examiner Amanda Gee said an examination of tachograph charts revealed 60 cases when the daily driving limit had been exceeded.
Weller said the problems with international haulage were not getting any easier; the latest being illegal immigrants.
Fowler explained that the drivers faced difficult problems. Since the Mont Blanc fire all the traffic into Italy had to go via the Frejus Tunnel. That was leading to severe traffic congestion, and dryers had to queue for up to three hours to get to Frejus. Service areas were often full and he could not think of a safe parking area between Milan and the border.
Fowler pointed out that no convictions had been recorded against the company for hours and tachograph offences since the 1995 public inquiry.
Gary Hodgson, appearing for the company, pointed out that a suspension of the licence would have the same effect as revocation, He said that it had recognised the need for more driver training and had taken the appropriate steps. He added that the company's annual test record of 100% initial pass rate for vehicles and 90% for trailers showed that the quality was there in the workshop.
The TC will announce his decision within two weeks,