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Irregularities Admitted by Applicant
Page 56
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A SOMERSET haulage contractor admitted at Bristol on Monday that he regularly overloaded his vehicle.
Mr. Brian Roper, of Crickham, Wedmore, was applying to the Western Licensing Authority, Mr. J. R. C. Samuel-Gibbon, for a Contract A licence to carry goods of Westbury Quarries Ltd., Westbury-SubMendip, nr. Wells.
After the inquiry, during which it was alleged by objectors that the quarry owners were paying uneconomic mileage rates, both parties accepted the LA's invitation to negotiate. The hearing was adjourned to a date to be fixed.
Mr. Ian Jenkins, appearing for a large number of objectors, said a document which detailed Mr. Roper's earnings at the quarry indicated that the vehicle had been persistently overloaded. In reply to the LA's question "You know that is unlawful, don't you?" Mr. Roper agreed.
Asked why it was overloaded, the applicant did not reply and said "No" when the LA interjected: "Is it because you have to do what you are told?"
Mr. W. Bowyer, works manager of Westbury Quarries, appeared with Mr. K. T. Barber, director of the firm, to support the application.
When the LA asked Mr. Bowyer if he knew the cost of running a lorry, the reply was that the quarry had never had a Contract A haulier go bankrupt. Mr. Bowyer also said he did not wish to give his haulage rates.
Mr. A. R. Duckett, a haulage contractor representing eight others, questioned Mr. Roper on mileage rates and also suggested to Mr. Bowyer that his rates were 6d. to ls. a ton below rates paid by other quarries in the area. He also suggested that the quarry was using hauliers as bargaining power with customers.
Mr. Barber said that he did not know of any illegal loading at his quarry. He accepted responsibility. The LA said he could not overlook the clear evidence of illegalities. Mr. Bowyer had said that it was the responsibility of the driver.
He renewed Mr. Roper's short-term licence for one month while negotiations proceeded.