Pennine Stone investigated
Page 26
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• The possible unauthorised use of vehicles by Butterfield Holdings, trading as Pennine Stone Sales, is to be investigated by traffic examiners following the refusal of the company's application for a new three-vehicle restricted licence.
The company failed to appear at a Leeds public inquiry before North Eastern Licensing Authority Frederick Whalley despite writing to say that it would be attending. Whalley said there were a number of matters he wanted to pursue, and this was not the first time the company had failed to appear in relation to a licence application.
Vehicle examiner Alan Mogeridge said the company was presently operating vehicles although it had no licence authority to do so as far as he knew. He was unable to say whether the vehicles were safe as he had not seen them since the beginning of the year when he issued two defect notices. Earlier an immediate prohibition for three dangerous defects had been imposed on a vehicle presented for annual test. There was no evidence that things had improved since then. Since 1981 attempts had been made to introduce a preventative maintenance system, without success.
Refusing the application, Whalley said he needed to be satisfied about both maintenance and the company's fitness to hold a licence — particularly as they seem to be operating illegally. He also wanted to inquire about a number of convictions recorded against the company and directed that a full investigation of the company be carried out by traffic examiners.