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Last chance to put house in order
Page 34
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THE INDEFINITE curtailment of the licence held by Newton-le-Willowsbased R Whittaker & Sons has been lifted by North-Western Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell from the end of March.
In March 2004 maintenance problems led to Deputy Traffic Commissioner Mark Hinchliffe cutting the firm's licence to 15 vehicles and 30 trailers for seven days and then to 28 vehicles and 45 trailers.
In January 2006 an investigation by a traffic examiner revealed wholesale breaches of the drivers' hours and tachograph rules, including missing mileage. As a result the firm was called to a public inquiry in October 2006.
The TC was told that partners Keith and Graham Whittaker accepted lull responsibility for the failures. A transport consultant had been instructed as soon as the traffic examiner's findings were made known to them. On his advice they changed their tachograph consultant.
In adjourning the hearing until February 2007, the TC said she had decided, exceptionally, to allow the partners one opportunity to put their house in order. She made it clear that any further serious failings would lead to the firm having to show cause as to why the licence should not be revoked and the partners disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence.
In February,evidence showing compliance with the drivers' hours rules and tachograph regulations and details of the training subsequently carried out with the drivers were produced.
In her decision, the TC said that a maintenance investigation carried out by Vosa in the intervening period was satisfactory, apart from one aspect that was being remedied.