Green light for Wilson
Page 16
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• North Western Licensing Authority Martin Albu has allowed Derbyshire haulier John Wilson to continue operating. Wilson, who trades as John Wilson Haulage, in Wirksworth, operates two eightwheelers and an artic.
He appeared before the LA in February after a vehicle examiner reported that his operating centre was unsuitable for the number and type of vehicles operated (CM 19-25 March). Wilson subsequently applied for authority to keep two vehicles and trailers at W Mountain's premises in Co!dwell Street, Wirksworth.
Vehicle examiner Peter Biggs said that Mountain had told him he was only providing parking facilities, making it clear that maintenance facilities would not be available. Even if the vehicles were parked elsewhere, he did not believe Wilson's Wood Street site was suitable for maintenance because of access problems and the length of the pit.
Wilson said that since February the pit had been extended to 9.1m. Vehicles could now be backed in and the doors shut. Mountain had said that he would maintain the artic if Wilson was stuck.
In reply to the LA, Wilson said that while the attic was being maintained at Wood Street the eightwheelers would be parked at Mountain's. The two sites were less than 400m apart.
Albu said there had been maintenance problems in the past and Wilson had also allegedly been parking vehicles in the surrounding streets. He wanted a written statement from Moun tain, confirming the arrangement and setting out its terms, to be produced within two weeks. On that basis, he was prepared to let the licence continue with a warning that if there were any further maintenance problems Wilson might well appear before him for the last time.