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Hauhem firm waits to hear TC's decision

25th August 2005, Page 10
25th August 2005
Page 10
Page 10, 25th August 2005 — Hauhem firm waits to hear TC's decision
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Keywords : Tachograph

A haulier has appeared at a public inquiry for the second time in two

years. Mike Jewell reports.

FIAZCHEM HAULIER Alan Lodge must wait to see what action is taken against its 0-licence following its second appearance in two years at a public inquiry following a series of drivers' hours and tachograph offences.

Alan,Christine and Gary Lodge, trading as Alan Lodge Partnerwhich holds a licence authorising 30 vehicles and 35 trailers. and 18 of their drivers had been called before North Eastern Traffic Commissioner Tom Macartney at a disciplinary inquiry.

Some of the company's drivers have already been convicted of similar offences and the three partners are scheduled to face criminal proceedings at Sheffield Magistrates Court in October.

Traffic examiner Stephen Rymer said the offences were revealed following analysis of the firm's invoices, consignment notes, fuel receipts and tachograph analysis sheets.

Approximately 60 offences were discovered, leading to prosec uti ons.The most serious problems were false records offences committed by seven drivers, involving loading and unloading without a chart inserted in the tachograph, and missing kilometres. Rymer said the majority of the drivers told him no blame was attached to the firm and that most of the offences were due to miscalculations and mistakes.

The tat:Ito falsification was at the bottom end of the scale, though two of the drivers were the same ones that had appeared at a previous public inquiry, when drivers' hours and tachograph rules and maintenance were the issues (CM 27 February 2003).

Some drivers said they had not received training from the firm and were not given the lirm's drivers' handbook; some had claimed to be unaware of the need to record journeys to and from their vehicles as duty time.

Managing director Alan Lodge conceded that since the previous public inquiry the two vehicles and the trailers the firm maintained themselves had not had roller brake tests until July, apart from pre-annual test preparation.

However, he told the inquiry that they had now installed a brand new roller brake tester at a cost of more than £20,000.

Alan Lodge maintained that it was not necessary to put the firm out of business. The TC reserved his decision.


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