• ;;;;;NETn Licence revoked for failing
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OVERLOADING NG
to abide by undertakings
A Liverpool haulier that failed to comply with undertakings given at a public inquiry last July has lost its licence.
Aintree-based Grifpack, which held a licence for eight vehicles and four trailers, appeared before North Western Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell last month. The company had appeared at previous public inquiries in December 1999 and July 2000. Grifpack's licence was revoked in December 1999 when it failed to attend, but on appeal the Transport Tribunal directed that the case be reconsidered.
In July the TC adjourned the proceedings to give the company a chance to put its house in order (CM24-30 August).
Vehicle examiner Peter Turner said that in August he examined three vehicles and two trailers, issuing one immediate prohibition, one delayed prohibition and two defect notices. In October he inspected four vehicles and two trailers, issuing one immediate and two delayed prohibitions with three defect notices.
The inspection period of six weeks spec fled at a public inquiry in July was not always achieved, with periods being extended for up to 10 weeks.
"The indications are that the operator is trying to improve the situation, but he still has a way to go," said Turner. 'He needs to devote more time to looking after the systems he has implemented."
Grifpack director Raymond Griffiths said: "If I did not look after the vehicles I would get a lot of breakdowns."
In reply to the TC, Griffiths accepted that he had not fully complied with an undertaking given in July to pay fines outstanding at Lincoln by the end of August. The company was making a loss. He had paid 500 the previous weekend, but E600 was still outstanding. He was in discussions with the firm's main customer to try to alleviate the situation.
Griffiths stressed that the convictions were not about roadworthiness, but were linked to the paperwork side of 0licensing at a time when the transport operation was transferred into Grifpack from DRTS. The vehicles were well looked after.
The TC commented that the accounts for the year ending July 2000 showed an increase in profits, but Griffiths was saying the company could not afford to pay the fine which had been imposed by Lincoln magistrates. Griffiths said it was hard to explain how the business had nose-dived. "If you want I will write you a cheque to cover it now," he added.
Revoking the licence on the grounds that the company had lost its repute, the TC said undertakings given at public inquiries were of the utmost importance.