Accrington licence cut with prohibition
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• The duration of the 0licence held by Richard Hilliard, trading as Accrington Coachways, has been cut with conditions prohibiting the operation of local services by North Western Deputy Traffic Commissioner Kenneth Birchall.
At the start of disciplinary proceedings in Manchester concerning the maintenance of Hilliard's vehicles, the Commissioner was told that Hilliard had voluntarily surrendered nine of his 11 licence discs.
Vehicle examiner Alban Jackson said that Hilliard had appeared at three previous public inquiries. At a fleet check in August three vehicles were examined after preparation. Two were given delayed prohibitions and all three received defect notices. Three vehicles were examined ex service in September during a police-instigated check: two of these were given immediate prohibitions.
Though Hilliard's premises were big enough, they had been allowed to deteriorate to the stage where maintenance was being impeded. He also felt that staffing levels were inadequate.
In reply to John Backhouse, for Hilliard, Jackson said he felt that Hilliard was capable of looking after a small number of vehicles, provided they were his only commitment.
Hilliard said that he had been advised by his doctor to reduce business pressure and he had disposed of a number of vehicles and the premises, while retaining the right to park and maintain his vehicles there.
Defects relating to loose wheel nuts had resulted from a faulty compressor regulator. He had had as many as 15 vehicles at one time and he felt the problem had been that he had had more vehicles than he was capable of looking after. He currently had a number of school contracts and a contract for the carriage of disabled people. He now realised that he could perhaps earn more money with fewer vehicles.
Birchall cut the licence to noire in February 1990. il At the same inquiry JE Battrick and ME Brown, trading as M & E Coaches, who had purchased part of Hilliard's business and his premises, were granted an increase in the authorisation on their licence from eight to 10 vehicles. The partners had applied for eight additional vehicles, but said they would really like four. The need for extra vehicles had been reduced by merging Hilliard's contracts with their own services.
Birchall was only prepared to grant two additional vehicles, as a second inspection pit had not yet been finished.