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Hearing adjourned following TE report

15th May 2008, Page 28
15th May 2008
Page 28
Page 28, 15th May 2008 — Hearing adjourned following TE report
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A TRAFFIC examiner's report that makes serious allegations about an international haulier has led to an inquiry being adjourned twice so that the operator is able to prepare answers.

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John Cowie. who holds a licence for five vehicles and two trailers, had been called before the North-Western Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell. Cowie had sought to increase the firm's authorisation to 10 vehicles and two trailers and to move to a new operating centre based in Burnley.

The case was adjourned in late January for further Vosa investigations after Cowie had admitted he did not know where his vehicles and drivers were while he was on holiday and after he had claimed a vehicle he'd been driving in December belonged to R J International, for whom he worked as a sub-contractor (CM 6 March, 'Inquiry adjourned for fleet activity probe '). When the heari ng resumed, the application for additional vehicles was withdrawn.

Seeking a further adjournment, Mark Davies, for Cowie, said that significant allegations had been made in the traffic examiner's report and that there had been insufficient time to deal with those.

A vehicle that was used between Christmas and the New Year was owned by Cowie, but was specified on a licence that was held by Jack Duckworth, and that vehicle had been in Duckworth's possession since August.

It was suggested the vehicle was being used by Cowie in excess of his licence authorisation, and he needed to speak to Duckworth about that. It was also alleged that the TC had been misled and that needed to be investigated.

It was now accepted that Cowie had not been driving an R J International vehicle in December, and that was also a matter that required explanation.

Traffic examiner Brian Newton said that he needed to interview Cowie about apparent drivers' hours breaches shown on the tachograph records.

After Newton had said that the drivers didn't speak very good English, the TC said one of the things he needed to talk to Cowie about was if the drivers actually understood the legislation.

The hearing was adjourned until 23 June.


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