Norfolk-based haulier's licence revoked by Eastern deputy
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NORFOLK-BASED J. Wyatt Jr (Haulage) Ltd had its licence revoked by the deputy Eastern LA, Mr Gerald Kidner, last week. The company, which was not represented at the hearing, was said by Mr Kidner to have had a chequered licensing history. He understood that it was now in liquidation but since letters to the liquidator had gone unanswered and the company had chosen not to appear at the hearing he would revoke without hesitation.
Wyatt's premises at Diss were referred to in another case before the deputy LA when Brooklander Ltd, also of Diss, applied for a new licence for 13 vehicles and 13 trailers. Brooklander's counsel, Mr James Amphlett, said that his client was negotiating to buy the premises, but he had no idea when they would be available for use. Mr Kidner replied that the licence would not be granted without an operating centre and that he would probably defer his decision.
Mr James McClusky, who said he was employed as general manager by Wyatt until August last year, said in evidence that if the application were granted he would join Brooklander as a director and operate the company's vehicles from Diss. Facilities there were excellent, he said.
Questioned by Mr Kidner about overloading of Wyatt's vehicles while he was in charge, Mr McClusky said it was mainly due to the use of overweight trailers manufactured by Wyatt. They were carrying no more than anyone else, he said, but the trailers were too heavy. He also blamed drivers for failing to obey his instructions. He felt the situation would not again arise since Brooklander would use standard trailers.
Mr McClusky thought that some of the seven convictions for overloading of Wyatt vehicles which had occurred from an inquiry in February 1973, when 12 cases of overloading were taken into account by the LA, had actually happened after he had left the company in August.
Giving his decision Mr Kidner said he would not allow the six months' referment asked for by Brooklander—that was far too long; he would give the company six weeks. Mr Kidner ordered that the trading accounts for Brookrander's first year of trading be made available to him for inspection.