TC refused to accept surrender
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Eastern Traffic Commissioner Geoffrey Simms has revoked the four-vehicle licence held by South Benfieet, Essex, tipper operator Vallabh Patel after refusing to accept an offer of its surrender. ln addition, the TC disqualified Patel, who trades as P&R Roadways, from holding or obtaining an Operator's Licence for a period of five years.
Patel failed to appear at a Cambridge disciplinary inquiry. He had been called before the -rc following a number of convictions for vehicle excise duty offences which had not been notified to the Traffic Area Office, and a report from the
Essex Police relating to breaches of the drivers' hours and tachograph rules.
The TC was also concerned about Patel's financial standing; that he had changed his maintenance arrangements without notification; and the fact that he was no longer using his authorised operating centre but keeping his vehicles else where without authority The TO said Patel had contacted the Traffic Area Office saying he would not be attending the hearing and wished to surrender his licence. That was not an offer he was prepared to accept, and he concluded that Patel no longer met the requirement to be of good repute.