Conditions bid delayed
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A bid by Bilston-based Hudhaul Transport (1987) to have a timing condition on its licence eased was adjourned after neighbouring residents alleged the condition had been breached on many occasions.
West Midland Traffic Commissioner John Mervyn Pugh warned that if he found there had been breaches he would have to consider action against the company's licence.
The company was seeking to alter the condition that prevented vehicle movements in and out of the Hickman Road entrance to its operating centre between 18:0006:00hrs, asking that the times be varied to 20:00-08:00hrs.
Director Neil Hudson said that though the company had com
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plied with the condition, it was causing operational problems. The operating centre was long and narrow and if a vehicle arrived late and had to use the other entrance it obstructed vehicles that had to leave early the next morning.
He felt the residents would benefit from the proposed times as the company's vehicles would not be able to use the Hickman Road entrance until two hours later in the morning.
Appearing for residents Mr and Mrs Nightingale, Stephen Round said schedules they had prepared showed vehicles arriving at Hickman Road after 18:00hrs on 102 occasions.
Hudson said the company had no knowledge of those allegations and claimed it had not even had copies of the representations. After Elizabeth Nightingale had said that she had personally put a copy through the company's letter box, and had seen other reoresentors do the same, lervyn Pugh commented that it was extraordinary that not one of the objections had come to the notice of the directors.
He felt that representors would be well advised to obtain proof of delivery if their representations were sent by post. If delivered by hand, they should hand them to someone personally and obtain a receipt.
He pointed out that if the allegations were proved the company's licence would be in jeopardy Round said that Mrs Nightingale did not want them to lead to the revocation or suspension of the licence; she would be happy if the current condition was strictly adhered to.
Hudson said there had been a misunderstanding of exactly what the condition meant in November and December. That was sorted out with the Traffic Area Office and the condition had been explained to the company's drivers. Part of the problem was that they used a number of agency drivers. Disciplinary action would be taken against any driver found breaking the condition.
Adjourning the hearing until a date to be fixed in September, Mervyn Pugh said there had also been allegations about breaches in March and May.
l'he company ought to have an opportunity of investigating and answering the allegations; said Mervyn Pugh; he also felt it ought to take legal advice.