Old base OK, but conditions imposed
Page 15
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
USE OF premises as a haulage base in the days of carriers licensing did not qualify them as an "existing operating centre" for the purposes of the environmental regulations, according to North Western Licensing Authority Roy Hutchings.
But Mr Hutchings ruled that premises used by Junction Transport of Dukinfield could be classed as an "existing operating centre" as the company had moved there in 1982. Its operator's licence was never amended.
The company wanted to renew its national licence in respect of 15 vehicles, declaring two operating centres, one at Park Road, Dukinfield and the other the Tameside lorry park, Stalybridge.
It was opposed by Tameside Borough Council and there were representations from residents of Park Road.
Residents complained about noise, nuisance, bad language, the hours worked and that vehicles were parked on the highway.
The company admitted that it had operated outside the hours laid down in the planning consent for the use of the Park Road premises, saying that it had appealed against an enforcement notice issued by the council in an effort to get the hours ex tended.
In granting renewal, Mr Hutchings said that letters had been produced to show that Park Road had been used as a transport contractor's yard for the repair of transport and heavy goods vehicles and plant and machinery with ancilliary office accomodation before 1965.
Whether or not any licensed haulage operation was carried out in conjunction with those businesses was not clear, but it was immaterial as any licence then reforced would have been a carrier's licence and not an operator's licence.
Mr Ilutchings gave the company until May 24 to make representations about the effect of proposed conditions on its business.
In relation to Tameside lorry park, he proposed a condition that any action taken by the council or anyone which effectively prevented use of the lorry park for the keeping of the 15 authorised vehicles be reported im in ediateiy to him.
He proposed eight conditions in relation to Park Road, The first limited the number of vehicles at any one time to eight, of which no more than six might be in the open yard. The second limited the size of the vehicles on the licence to not more than 16 tons gross.
The third prohibited the parking of vehicles in the open yard closer than two metres to the boundary walls.
The fourth banned vehicles from being parked unattended in Park Road for more than 15 minutes and limited such parking to the purpose of the driver obtaining further instructions as to his duties.
The fifth required such parking to be on the section of Park Road in front of the operating centre.
The sixth allowed vehicles to be left off the road on the area in front of premises of a nearby firm in accordance with conditions agreed with that firm.
The seventh limited the maintenance or movement of any authorised vehicles to between Sam and 6pm Mondays to Fridays, and between 8am and lpm on Saturdays, there to be no maintenance or movement of vehicles on Sundays or Bank Holidays.
The eighth prohibiteed vehicles being reversed out of the premises into Park Road and required a responsible person to be present to assist the driver should it he necessary for the vehicles to be reversed into the premises.