Uniformity of decisions queried
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by Amanda Bradbury • A charge of lack of uniformity between Licensing Authorities' decisions at public inquiry has been levelled by the family of the woman killed by a tanker belonging to Bakewell, Derbyshirebased Herbert Graham Pheasey.
Last week North Western LA Martin Albu allowed the company—convicted of using a vehicle with defective steering and brakes—to keep its licence.
However, Albu cut the licence duration and refused Pheasey's application to increase the number of vehicles operated.
The non revocation of Pheasey's licence has angered the family of Susan Williams, crushed to death in 1992 by a tanker belonging to the company.
Daughter Mary Williams says: "This case was similar to that of Fewston Trans port, whose licence was revoked last month, after one of its vehicles caused the Sowerby Bridge tragedy. The only difference is that we had less publicity." (See panel.) Williams criticises the lack of an appeal procedure for victims of truck accidents who disagree with public inquiry outcomes. She says she believes that Albu would not allow a formal objection from Derbyshire Police to the non-revocation because it was lodged by an acting inspector and not an inspector. If the police had been allowed to lodge an objection to Pheasey's licence, Williams argues, officers would now be to appeal against Albu's decision.