Dukes facing censure at public inquiry
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• Dukes Transport is almost certain to appear before Traffic Commissioner Michael Betts in September to answer allegations that it pressured its drivers to break the law.
If the public inquiry, which has not yet been formally announced, goes ahead, Dukes could be the next major logistics firm to have its Operator's Licence revoked.
Commercial Motor has learned that Dukes Transport (Craigavon) is to be called to an Edinburgh inquiry starting in September. The company is also expected to be called to separate inquiries in other Traffic Areas in which it holds licences.
This follows a series of court proceedings against some 44 Dukes drivers earlier this year. Ten of the drivers were tried at Leeds Crown Court in May where Judge Peter Charlesworth considered that the drivers had either directly or indirectly been put under pressure from the company. He gave this as one of the reasons that he did not impose custodial sentences.
During the trial, the court heard that the drivers were put under immense pressure and worked to schedules that left no room for error. They were paid per trip and it was a case of doing what they were asked to do, or losing money.
The company has appeared before TCs in the past. In September 1999, Michael Betts warned the company that it should ensure it received no further convictions when it appeared before him to answer concerns over its maintenance record and conviction history.
In 1995, the then Eastern TC Brigadier Compton Boyd cut the authorisation on one of the com
pany's licences from 44 vehi and 12 trailers to 37 vehicles ten trailers because of ma name problems.
Set up in 1971, Dukes is one of the country's Ian hauliers with six UK depot Glasgow, Huddersfield, St raer, Heysham, Crick and Northern Irish HQ in Porta& It runs 800 vehicles.