Pugh revokes 0-licence 1 • AF McDonald Transport of Pyle
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has had its licence revoked on maintenance grounds, but South Wales Licensing Authority John Mervyn Pugh has granted a licence to the company's principal director Anthony McDonald.
Mervyn Pugh granted a 12month licence for the 15 vehicles and five trailers that had recent MoT certificates and said McDonald had regained his repute in the past 72 hours.
The company's licence was suspended in September when it was given 48 hours to get its 16 vehicles MoT tested.
The LA was told that only seven vehicles passed first time. There were 17 failures, with some vehicles failing more than once. Three immediate prohibitions were issued.
Describing the condition of the vehicles as "appalling", a DTp vehicle examiner said the defects included worn tyres, brake problems, loose wheelnuts and fractured chassis members. One vehicle had 18 defects. McDonald had enlisted the help of outside contractors, but even some of those vehicles had failed. He realised that they could not carry on the way they had and "heads would roll". His attitude to the staff had completely changed.
Revoking the licence on the ground the company had lost its good repute, Mervyn Pugh said it was the only action he could take.
Indicating that he would look favourably on McDonald's application for a licence if he were satisfied that the vehicles would be maintained properly, Mervyn Pugh suggested McDonald should go on a course run by the Vehicle Inspectorate.
He recommended weekly vehicle inspections with every fourth inspection carried out by an outside contractor. and that McDonald should consider joining the Freight Transport Association.
Granting a licence with a warning that it would be revoked if there were any prohibitions imposed which gave him cause for concern, Mervyn Pugh said he did not want to destroy the business.
Some people would say he had been too generous as McDonald was a menace to the industry. However, if he refused a licence, 15 drivers, fitters and other staff would be out of work, he said.