Two weeks to comply
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• North Western Licensing Authority Martin Albu has adjourned a disciplinary hearing against Wirksworth-based tipper operator John Wilson Haulage for two weeks.
Wilson operates three eightwheelers and an artic; he appeared before the LA in Derby after a vehicle examiner had reported that his operating centre was unsuitable for the number and type of vehicles operated.
Vehicle examiner Peter Biggs said it was extremely difficult and hazardous to get in and out of Wilson's premises. One driver had been unable to manage it and had to ask another driver to get his vehicle in. The vehicles had to reverse out under supervision to prevent danger and the length of the inspection pit meant that vehicles had to be turned round to complete a full inspection.
The site was too small to accommodate the entire fleet so some vehicles were parked on the highway. Wilson appeared to consider that as other operators were parking vehicles in the street and on pub car parks he could do the same, said Biggs.
Albu said that the Traffic Area had been receiving complaints about Wilson's vehicles being parked on the road and in a hotel car park since 1990. In October 1990 Wilson promised that he would stop parking vehicles on the roadside, but there had been further complaints in May 1991.
For Wilson, Stephen Savage said a vehicle had been parked in a pub car park by a driver who lived opposite. As soon as Wilson became aware of what was happening he put a stop to it. Wilson had permission to park vehicles at another haulier's premises, so there was no need to park in the road and on pub car parks.
Asking for the proceedings to be adjourned, Savage said Wilson had operated from the premises concerned since 1956. A number of alternatives were being explored and time was required to finalise those matters.
Adjourning the case, Albu said Wilson was required by law to have an operating centre suitable for the purpose. Parking on the road, if not illegal, was discouraged. It was quite clear that Wilson had not been complying with the regulations for some time.