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Scrap haulier with 'appalling' record is disqualified by TC
Page 12
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By Chris Tindall A SCRAP METAL haulier with an "abysmal" and -appalling" annual vehicle test failure record and prohibition rates has been disqualified from holding an 0-licence in any traffic area.
The West Midlands Traffic Commissioner, Nick Jones, said SP Jones, near Wolverhampton, attempted to mislead him by claiming the business had systems in place to ensure tachograph compliance. It was only when the TC pointed out the guidance given to drivers was more than 10 years old that Trevor Bennett admitted he had put the out-ofdate leaflets in drivers' cabs a few days before the public inquiry Bennett was seen as the driving force behind the operation, despite his son, Scott Hill, running the business, which held a licence for four vehicles and one trailer.
A Vosa investigation found the firm's vehicles had a 71% prohibition rate, rising to 85% over the last two years. The condition of the vehicles was so dire it had resulted in a vehicle test failure rate of more than 94%. Defending, solicitor Michael Carless said the issues identified were technical and the drivers weren't using their vehicles round the clock. However, TC Jones said "Scott Hill has a knowledge of operator licensing which is woefully short of the minimum standard required. The paperwork presented to me at the date of the inquiry caused me grave concern. The fact the operator hadn't even bothered to check if the RHA sheet issued on hours rules was current is typical of the behaviour of the operator and of his abdication of his responsibilities.
"Any decision other than to revoke this operator's licence would be woefully inadequate."
Hill was disqualified from holding an 0-licence for a month.
• Turn to the legal digest section on page 22 for more legal cases.