TC forbids use of
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operating centre—
but notes loophole
Deeks & Steere has been given until the beginning of June to find a suitable operating centre after South Eastern & Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner Christopher Heaps decided its present site was unsuitable.
The TC heard that the company, which had a restricted, one-vehicle licence, had stopped using its nominated operating centre. Instead, it had been using Wiggins Yard in Godalming, Surrey. It subsequently sought authorisation to use this site, but the application was opposed by Surrey County Council, Waverley Borough Council, Surrey Police and neighbouring residents.
Objections centred on concerns about road safety. Access to the yard was from a narrow shopping street through a passage which was only 3m wide; entry was also over a cobbled road in a conservation area.
Kathryn Kennel!, a Surrey County Council transportation engineer, said: "The county council found it hard to imagine a site less suitable for an operating centre, and the problem cannot be rectified by conditions or undertakings."
Refusing the application following a site visit, the IC concluded that the site was unsuitable on environmental and road safety grounds.
"In reaching my conclusions I am aware that my decision will not prohibit the company's vehicle visiting Wiggins Yard from another, authorised operating centre," he said. "I am required by the Transport Tribunal decision in the appeal case 1988 No Z34 (Duncan Lacey vs Mid Sussex County Council) to leave this out of my consideration, although it is perhaps for Parliament to consider whether it would be appropriate for the powers of Traffic Commissioners to be extended in this regard."