TC tells operator to be open and honest
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WEST Midlands traffic commissioner (TC) Nick Jones has revoked the O-licence of JB Warehousing (West Midlands), saying that the transport manager had misled him with regards to who was running the business.
In a written decision following a September public inquiry in Birmingham, TC Jones said the repute of Matthew Birch as a transport manager had been severely tarnished. Matthew’s father Barry Birch was listed as sole director of the Brierley Hill-based business – which was authorised to run 15 vehicles and 11 trailers – at Companies House.
However, Matthew Birch was, in effect, in charge of the operation because his father had apparently retired from the industry due in part to his wife’s ill health.
TC Jones also refused an O-licence application from new business, Dudley-based JB Logistics, of which Matthew Birch was again listed as transport manager.
Both companies failed to provide TC Jones with evidence that they had enough money to operate their vehicles.
He said: “If Matthew Birch seeks to have his name put forward as a director and applies for a licence, I will want to see him at a public inquiry.
“I would expect him to have learned his lesson and to be open and honest with regulatory authorities.
“I would also expect to see tangible proof that he has not been operating without an operator’s licence in the meantime.”