The 0-licence held by Cumbrian livestock transporters HAS Skelton was
Page 9
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
revoked after the partners were forced into bankruptcy by the foot and mouth epidemic.
Robert John and Stuart Skelton held a licence for five vehicles based at Broughton Moor, near Maryport. In addition to revoking the firm's 0-licence, North Western Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell refused applications for new licences from the father of the partners, also named Robert, who trades as Skelton's Transport and as Robert. Skelton Contractors.
In October the brothers attempted to surrender their licence but the TO refused to accept its surrender because of concerns over their financial standing and repute.
Their father applied for an 0-licence for eight vehicles and 10 trailers from the same operating centre. The transport manager nominated was Stuart Skelton, who is also the nominated transport manager for RJ&S Skelton.
Roger biro, appearing for the Skelton brothers, said the partnership had gone into liquidation and had been made individually bankrupt as a result of the foot and mouth crisis. The partnership was owed some 1700,000 with no real prospect of being paid.
Stuart was unable to tell the TO why he had failed to adequately deal with the letters torn the Traffic Area Office, claiming he had not received them.
He could not satisfactorily explain how one vehicle was found to have a defective speed limiter, one had a tachograph improperly fitted with a blank seal and the OIL switches had been altered. Neither could he explain why his father was writing to the TAO on his behalf, or why he had failed to disclose the bankruptcy order.
Holding that neither partner met the requirement to be of good repute, the TC said that Stuart Skelton was evasive and deceitful, and Robert John Skelton simply did not understand what was required of him as an 0licence holder. The TO disqualified Stuart Sketton from holding or obtaining an 0-licence in all Traffic Areas for five years and Robert John Skelton for three years.
Refusing Skelton senior's application, the TO said she was not satisfied that the proposed operating centre was suitable as its use by large vehicles would severely jeopardise road safety.
The application by Robert Skelton Contractors was rejected because Stuart Skelton was the proposed transport manager and he was not of good repute.