Licence loss closes firm
Page 25
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• A Coventry operator who complained that West Midland Traffic Commissioner John Mervyn Pugh was putting him out of business by suspending his company's licence was told he had put himself out of business.
Truck and Plant Services (Coventry), which holds a licence for 12 vehicles and two trailers, was called before the TC because of concerns over maintenance and the possible use of untaxed vehicles.
For the company, Fred Randle said one of the five vehicles given prohibition notices had been on a licence held by the company's sole director, Kevin Kennel, in his own name. However, Randle conceded that this vehicle was painted in the same livery as the company's vehicles.
Asked why there were two licences, Kennel said he had kept his original licence going after the company was granted another licence.
Four vehicles were said to be untaxed: Randle said that three were not in use and one had been stolen. He added that Kennel was unaware of any outstanding vehicle excise duty and stressed that the eight vehicles currently in use were all properly taxed.
In reply to the TC, Kennel said he had meant to bring the vehicle test certificates and copies of the tax discs to the inquiry but had left them in the vehicle that had given him a lift to the railway station. He agreed that the vehicles had not had fresh annual tests, as had been suggested in the letter calling the company to the public inquiry, but promised to get them all tested and bring the paperwork in to the Traffic Area Office.
Suspending the licence, Mervyn Pugh said it was all totally unsatisfactory. He had to protect the good name of the industry. "That's me out of business then," said Kennel. Mervyn Pugh replied: "You have put yourself out of business."
After Mervyn Pugh had warned that there would be serious consequences if the company was found to be operating vehides while the licence was suspended, Kennel said: "They won't be. I will close down today. I have no choice."