1250,000 fleet left idle
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• Disciplinary proceedings involving George Hirst, trading as Badley Brothers of Holmfield, have been adjourned by North Eastern Deputy Traffic Commissioner Norman Moody.
The adjournment stands pending prosecutions for alleged drivers' hours offences by G B Hirst Travel International and a number of the company's drivers.
Moody also adjourned Hirst's application to increase the authorisation on his licence from three to seven vehicles despite being told that it would leave Hirst with £250,000 worth of vehicles standing.
For Hirst, Stephen Kirkbright argued that it would breach natural justice to consider the revocation of the licence on the basis that the alleged offences reflected on the management of the company of which Hirst was a director.
Hirst and his drivers would be unable to answer any questions about the alleged offences in case it incriminated them. Kirkbright said conflicting statements had been made by a traffic examiner, but the ex aminer was not present, despite requests that he attend.
Certain incidents occurred the day before the public inquiry was called, said Kirkbright, which according to Hirst was the reason why the public inquiry had been called. He maintained if that were so, it was an abuse of power by the authority.
Asking that the variation application be dealt with, Kirkbright said he was concerned that it had been made as long ago as 17 June. He said the evidence that this was one of the best-run coaching firms in the north of England was overwhelming and Hirst was entitled to have his application dealt with.
Adjourning all the proceedings until after the prosecutions have been dealt with by the magistrates. Moody said it seemed that all the facts might not be available.
He said it had been Hirst's own decision to purchase vehicles before his variation application was granted and directed that the traffic examiner should be present on the next occasion.