TC Aitken disqualifies transport directors
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A PAIR of Glasgow haulage directors have been disqualified for two years by traffic commissioner (TC) for Scotland Joan Aitken, after they operated without a transport manager for a decade and used 0-licence discs from a company that had ceased trading.
At a public inquiry in Edinburgh, the TC heard how Ronald and Patricia Brady had initially run a company called Way Ahead Couriers.
A Vosa investigation found that the pair had run without a transport manager for 10 years, operated more vehicles than it was allowed to, failed to produce records to enforcement officers, did not collect data on employees' driving duty as required and changed operating premises without permission.
In addition, vehicles operated by the business had attracted mechanical prohibitions and were found to be overloaded, while drivers had also committed offences.
By June 2009, Way Ahead had ceased trading and the operator was calling itself RJB Transport. However, the business had continued to use discs issued to Way Ahead.
The TC, who revoked the 0-licence of Way Ahead Couriers at an earlier hearing, refused an application from the pair for a new licence in the name of RJB Transport. Ordering the disqualification of Ronald, Aitken concluded: "I am not prepared to be more lenient to a director who has been so neglectful of his duties and who did not have a proper transport manager in place.
"TCs have duties to road safety, and the licence undertakings are there to reflect what has to be done to achieve safe operating."