Licence bid fails on cash
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• PMB European Transport's bid for a new international licence has been turned down by North Eastern LA Fred Whalley.
The Hull-based company had been operating since February under an interim licence, authorising two vehicles and trailers. It wanted a licence for 12 vehicles and 15 trailers. Paul Holland, for the company, said that PMB Services and PMB European Transport were formed following the liquidation of A Black Transport. The directors were Anthony Black, his father and Kenneth Harman. Both companies were granted licences and PMB Services was later merged into PMB European Transport.
Black said that only draft accounts were available. The company had an overdraft facility of £65,000, which was to be reduced by £3,000 a month to £40,000.
Whalley said that it seemed PMB had been operating up to its overdraft limit. It did not appear to meet the requirement on international licence holders to have reserves of 3,000 ECUs per vehicle.
Questioned by Whalley, Black said that AB Transport, which was a partnership between himself and his father, owned all the vehicles apart from one. He accepted that during 1991 there were up to nine vehicles in operation and said they were advised to merge PMB Services into PMB European Transport. They agreed with Traffic Area staff to combine the two licences.
Whatever the reason, said Whalley, Black had operated illegally. He pointed out that the present interim authority was for two vehicles and trailers, but PMB was currently operating four vehicles.
Black said that if he had operated only two vehicles it would have meant the immediate closure of the company. He had taken a commercial decision.
Whalley said that when he had previously refused a licence Black was given 15 days grace so vehicles could be brought back from the Continent. However, Black had continued to send vehicles abroad.
Black said that two vehicles were involved in an agreed contract. If everything had gone to plan they would have been back before the deadline.
Whalley said that Black had shown a cavalier disregard for the regulations, placing his business above the law.