Runaway truck leads to suspension
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The licence held by AP&N Christopher Plant Hire has been suspended while Welsh Traffic Commissioner David Dixon considers whether to revoke it or accept its surrender.
The Tonyrefail, Rhondda based company had been called before the IC after one of its vehicles was found to have defective brakes following an accident when it ran away down a hill just before Christmas.
The IC heard that driver John Jones lost control of his loaded artic tipper on a steep
hill in Pontardawe, near Swansea. The tipper collided with a lamppost, a building and stationary vehicle. Jones needed hospital treatment (CM 13-19 May).
When the hearing was resumed the company failed to appear.
Dixon said he had received a letter from its solicitors offering to surrender the licence because the company planned to cease trading.
Vehicle examiner Mike Williams said he had examined the vehicle the day after the accident. He found that the third axle brake actuator had been dismantled and tied up and that there was excessive travel on all the other brakes. There was a fractured spring leaf and the load sensing valve was inoperative.
He had been unable to carry out any brake tests due to the damage to the vehicle, but in his opinion the brakes had been defective prior to the accident and could have been the cause.
Jones was present but the TC told him not to give evidence as there was a court case pending.
Suspending the licence, the IC said the situation caused him serious concern and he needed further time to consider the company's request to be allowed to surrender the licence.
Jones, who is still not well enough to return to work following the accident, is pursuing a claim for compensation.