Munro's licence bid dismissed by
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IC as a 'phoenix' PW°hmoPEiTsmtOhN the greatest haulier?
SCOTTISH TRAFFIC Commissioner (TC) Joan Aitken has refused an 0-licence application from a Highland waste haulier he believed was a 'phoenixfor a firm whose licence she had previously revoked.
The case centred around disgraced Inverness firm Munro & Sons (Highland), whose licence was revoked in May last year following two serious accidents, one of which was fatal.
In her original written decision, subsequently upheld by the Transport Tribunal in September 2009, Aitken said: "Disqualified operators often seek to re-emerge in other corporate form. I warn other operators to be wary of providing a front for continued operation by Messrs Munro."
however, on 24 December, Roderick and Claire Munro, the son and daughter-in-law of Munro & Sons boss William Munro. applied for an 0-licence as Munro Midlands. Roderick Munro told an Inverness public inquiry on 8 July that they were looking to move hack to Scotland from Derbyshire and take on some of the former M.unro & Sons business, which had since been subcontracted out.
Roderick Munro had no involvement with Munro & Sons and insisted there would be no influence from his father, William Munro, However. Aitken said:"If were to grant this application, for all practical purposes my revocation and disqualification orders would have no effect, Thus. I would be leaving Mr William Munro in a position yet again to control a haulage operation through the family relationship."
She said she cannot trust William Munro and said there was no way of ensuring his non-involvement. "If I were to grant this applicant, there would be a real risk to public confidence in the goods vehicle operator licensing regime.
It would imply that a revoked and disqualified person need not worry, for all they have to do is put a close family member up to apply for a licence." WHO SHOULD be crowned the Greatest British Haulier of All Time? That's the question sister-title Truck & Driver magazine is asking.
So what makes the Greatest British Haulier'?
Well, according to T&D editor Will Shiers that's entirely up to you. "It doesn't matter whether you opt for a firm that is still in business or one that shut its doors decades ago. You might want to draw upon personal experience and choose a haulier you work(ed) for."
Pick up the September issue of T&D (out now) for an entry form, or enter online at: www.roadtransportcomigreathritishhaulier
All entrants will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win one of three Corgi Hauliers of Renown models