Lewis Tankers loses one
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• Norman Lewis Tankers has had a vehicle removed from its 0-licence for six months and its renewal application postponed for the same period by North Eastern Licensing Authority Frederick Whalley, after 19 of the company's drivers were convicted of hours and tachograph offences.
The Hensall-based company had applied to renew its international licence in respect of 24 vehicles and 24 trailers, but in April 19 of its drivers had been fined almost £10,000 by the Selby Magistrates (CM 21-27 April).
Senior traffic examiner Brian Walscher said that following a complaint, investigations had revealed extensive abuse of the hours regulations, both here and abroad. In addition, of the 19 vehicles which had been operated at the time, 16 had been operated without excise licences and, by arrangement, the company had paid £23,758 back-duty to avoid prosecution. There had been a clear pattern where drivers had been required to drive excessive hours at excessive speeds, with insufficient rest. In reply to Stephen Kirkbright, for the company, Walsher agreed that it had been cleared of allegations that it had caused and permitted the drivers' offences.
Walscher said that the system introduced to control the drivers by the new transport manager was first class in concept and should prove adequate if properly supervised.
Current transport manager and former Lewis driver, Colin Sharp, said that managing director Norman Lewis had ex ercised a tight control, but he had become ill. Lewis' son Gary had taken over the traffii office and the drivers had take advantage of him.
After Sharp had produced warning letters to drivers issued since he had been appointed transport manager, Whalley commented that from the number, the drivers must be a pretty lawless lot.
Sharp said he had had to clamp down, and the first two months had been a battle between him and the drivers. Only eight of the drivers who had been convicted at Selby were still with the company.
Garry Lewis, who was 21 when his father had suffered a stroke in January 1986, said a lot of the drivers had not liked taking orders from a kid. They had just laughed and one had threatened him with violence.
Norman Lewis said that he had never tolerated speeding or excess hours, as the driver: had been driving expensive equipment and carrying bazar,clous chemicals. Sharp had had a lot of trouble at first, but he had now pulled the job round.