Second licence bid successful
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• Knaresboroughbased Michael Waterson Transport has succeeded at the second attempt for a new international licence. The company's first attempt was refused on repute grounds in July 1992.
However, North Eastern Deputy Traffic Commissioner Brian Homer was only prepared to grant authority for two vehicles and two trailers for one year. Horner said that he felt the five vehicles and five trailers applied for would be "too much too soon".
A licence held in managing director Michael Waterson's own name was surrendered before the company's first attempt to obtain a licence.
Chris Charlesworth, for the company, said two of Waterson's drivers had been convicted of falsifying tachograph charts in April 1992. Waterson had always denied knowing what the drivers had done, and on the face of the tacho charts they appeared to be in order.
Of the two immediate prohibitions imposed, the first had been on a vehicle which Waterson maintained was not on his licence at the time. He had no recollection of the circumstances surrounding the second.
Michael Waterson said he intended to employ a firm of tachograph chart analysts if the company was successful in obtaining a licence. The vehicles would be kept at the premises of Manton Transport, and that company would carry out the maintenance.
The company had a credit balance at the bank of £799.77 and there was an overdraft facility of £35,000. There had been no financial problems in the past.
Waterson said that since surrendering his own licence, he had been buying and selling vehicles, doing a bit of driving and acting as a clearing house for old customers. He owned property on which further overdraft facilities could be secured, if necessary.
Horner said that he doubted whether five vehicles and trailers could be acquired and operated on the capital available. He warned that should there be further problems the company's future would be somewhat limited.