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Move to overcrowded site loses company its licence
Page 23
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DTC refuses a variation application following the unauthorised move and considers action against the sole director. Mike Jewell reports.
A COMPANY that moved to an overcrowded site without informing theTraffic Commissioner has had its licence revoked and an application bra change of operating centre refused.
Birmingham-based Appropriate Scaffolding Services appeared before West Midland Deputy Traffic Commissioner Lester Maddrell. The DTC turned down the company's application to base five vehicles and four trailers at Deakin Road, Erdingt on, which was opposed by Birmingham City Council.
Vehicle examiner Harry Gill said he carried out an unannounced maintenance investigation on the company's authorised site following the issue of an S-marked prohibition, indicating a serious lapse in maintenance. He discovered the company had moved premises to Erdington.
Immediate prohibition
Ai the Erdington site Gill examined IWO vehicles, issuing an immediate prohibition to one for a punctured tyre. The six-week inspection period had been extended to between eight and 12 weeks on occasions Maintenance was contracted out, but no agreement was available. There was no written driver defect reporting system; no forward plannerwas available and the company said it might have been lost during the move.The initial pass rate at annual test was 25%. Gill considered the maintenance system was declining rather than improving.
Traffic examiner Jonathan Mellor said another operator was already authorised for eight vehicles at Deakin Road. subject to a number of conditions. He added that if the application by Appropriate Scaffolding Services was granted there would be insufficient room to park all the authorised vehicles and trailers. Vehicles could not be easily turned round and they could not enter or leave without difficulty.
The DTC was told Deakin Road was a narrow residential road and its surface was deteriorating due to the volume of lar vehicles using it.There was evidence of veincl being driven over the footpath. Vehicl entering and leaving passed within inch of residential property and there had be damage to guttering and fencing.There was al diesel spillage and debris deposited on the ro surface. The company's authorised operati centre was no longer available.
Resident? petition
For the city council, Richard Leonard SE vehicles were regularly being parked oven* in Deakin Road. There had been 14 letters complaint and a petition from the residents Deakin Road, and the situation had worsen over the past six months.
Refusing the variation application on ro safety grounds, the DTC said the access was t narrow for the safe operation of large goc vehicles and the existing licence at the s would be considered at the review stage.
Revoking Appropriate Scaffolding Servic 0-licence, the DTC said the use of an unauth ised operating centre was a criminal offence.] considered disqualifying the company's s4 director Catherine Keenan but gave her days to make representations before reachi a decision. a