AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Bell sounds the alarm over Transconsult CPS holder

2nd March 2006, Page 8
2nd March 2006
Page 8
Page 8, 2nd March 2006 — Bell sounds the alarm over Transconsult CPS holder
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Three operators have appeared before the TC because of their transport manager, supplied by Transconsult. Mike Jewell reports.

CONTROVERSIAL transport consultant Alec Hayden has admitted breaking an undertaking he gave to North-Western TC Beverley Bell about payments to CPC holders.

He was speaking at a public inquiry where Bell was considering action against three firms because of possible problems with their nominated transport manager a full-time truck driver provided by Hayden's firm,Transconsult.

Previously Hayden had agreed to alter his contracts so operators paid their CPC holders directly.

The transport manager in question, David Peacock, worked 40 hours a week for the Royal Mail as well as being committed to work eight hours a week as a transport manager for each of these operators, said Bell.

Gerald Hamilton, appearing for the operators, played down Peacock's workload. He claimed that Peacock only worked 35 hours a week for the Royal Mai I.As none of the operators he worked for had multiple-vehicle licences there was not a huge operation to manage.

There had been no infringements and the operators had not come to the notice of Vosa while Peacock had been their transport manager, Hamilton added.

Peacock said that most of his transport manager's duties were carried out at weekends. although he was available 24 hours a day on his mobile phone. He told the TC that he was paid a monthly fee for each operator and the money came direct from Transconsult.

Asked how he regarded himself as being -employed" by each of the operators. Peacock said Transconsult had been collecting the payments on his behalf as a management company.

Hamilton pointed out that the EU Transport Commissioner had said transport managers did not have to be paid by operators.

Hayden agreed with theTC that in previous cases he had agreed to change the contracts. But he added that the information from the European Parliament had "put that on one side".

Reserving her decision against the operators -St Helens-based B Nortons Accommodation & Container Services; Ellesmere Portbased D&S Transport (Cheshire); and Stockport-based A Fitton Transport the TC said the problems were capable of remedy.

If need be, she would give all three a period of grace to find new transport managers.


comments powered by Disqus