Suspended then closed
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by Michael Jewell • The haulage firm whose lorry was involved in a fatal accident on the A6 at Cromford in Derbyshire has gone out of business WT Hurdsman & Sons, based at St Martins, near Oswestry, had its licence for 30 vehicles and 45 trailers suspended for three weeks in November by West Midland Deputy Traffic Commissioner Roger Seymour (CM 21-27 November).
The licence suspension followed the collapse of a prosecution against the company for using a dangerous vehicle, because although the holder of the licence, the company did not trade and the vehicle and trailer belonged to Geoffrey and Susan Hurdsman, who were trading as a partnership. When the hearing resumed, Michael Carless, for the Hurdsmans, said that during the three-week suspension they had lost 1200,000 in turnover and major contracts with British Steel and ATC Sawmills. The Hurdsmans had closed the haulage business, said Carless Seymour revoked the licence and said the limited company had not produced any trading accounts, had almost no financial resources, and, as it was not employing anyone, it could not fulfil its obligations in regard to professional competence.
Seymour said he was sorry the business had come to an end, but it was the natural conclusion of the various issues that had been raised.
He added that it was something for not only the Hurdsmans but others in the haulage industry to ponder.