LA wondered who ran operation
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11 Following a two-day public inquiry in Cardiff, South Wales Licensing Authority John Mervyn Pugh has put off deciding what action to take against Si Haulage & Storage until January, in the light of the company's maintenance record and a series of convictions, including overloading.
The Newport-based company, which holds a licence for 22 vehicles and six trailers, had sought additional operating centres at West of Adelaide Street, Newport, and New Inn, Pontypool.
For the company, Colin Ward said that it was run by Stephen Lewis and his sister Ken. A large number of the prohibition notices imposed referred to hired trailers. There were two skilled fitters, a new workshop foreman had been appointed and an experienced engineer had been employed to carry out random checks.
Asked what the company's connection with Ronton Haulage was, Ward agreed that it had been set up by Stephen Lewis's father, who had run Ronton Haulage. He said that Mr Lewis senior now only worked for Si Haulage. He wanted to retire, but was helping his son.
The LA said that every time his office telephoned the company, Lewis senior answered. It raised the question of whether Stephen Lewis and his sister were a "front".