Aston Clinton 0-licence cut
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by Mike Jewell
• Aston Clinton Haulage has had its 0-licence authorisation cut following a conviction for drivers' hours violations.
The Norbert Dentressangle subsidiary is facing a cut in its licence from 63 vehicles and 136 trailers to 35 vehicles and 90 trailers for six months from the beginning of May.
Imposing the cut, Eastern LA Brigadier Compton Boyd described the drivers' hours violations as a "serious dereliction of duty".
Last August Aylesbury magistrates fined the company £14,200 with £750 costs after it had pleaded guilty to failing to preserve tachograph records and permitting drivers to drive excessive hours and take insufficient rest. Seventeen Aston Clinton drivers were fined a total of £4,950 with £700 costs for excessive hours and taking insufficient rest.
As a result the company was called before a Cambridge disciplinary inquiry during which the LA also took account of 115 breaches of regulations which had been committed by the company's drivers on the Continent (CM March 9-15).
Boyd said that the imperative principle behind the licensing system was road safety and tachographs played a key role in this. Breaches by either drivers or the operator were serious enough for revocation of the licence to be considered.
But he added that Aston Clinton's previous record had worked in its favour. There had been no prohibitions because of poor vehicle maintenance and only two minor convictions for overloading, and those almost five years ago. This could be considered an accomplishment in an organisation so large, diverse and intensive, he said. In addition the company had reacted quickly when the problems came to light.
Brigadier Boyd said on balance he had decided not to revoke or suspend Aston Clinton's licence, although a penalty had to be paid.