North-Western TC says UK firm can submit a fresh application if Dutch managing director steps aside.
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THE UK SUBSIDIARY of a Dutch haulage company has lost its 0-licence through the importation of trucks from Holland on false registration plates, Leyland-based Intramast (UK), owned by Jan De Rooy, also failed to comply with undertakings given when the 0-licence was granted, while there were concerns expressed over vehicle maintenance.
North-Western Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell, however, indicated that she would be prepared to look favourably on an application for a fresh 0-licence for 20 vehicles and 20 trailers provided that UK manager Peter Stott and Dennis Tilberg, who has a key position in the De Rooy Group, become directors and that Jan De Rooy was removed as a director.
The firm, which held an 0-licence for 40 vehicles and 40 trailers, was called before the TC at a Golborne Public Inquiry ('Trucks imported to UK on false plates'. CM 19 November).
Revoking the licence, the TC said the entry of three vehicles into the Port of Hull with false registration plates in September was an extremely serious matter.
In addition, the company had shown contempt for the 0-licensing regime by allowing the nominated transport manager, Yvo Geusens, to completely ignore his statutory duties. Commercial considerations had been allowed to take precedence over the undertaking to nominate a second transport manager.
The company sought to blame the current economic climate when it was not relevant to the nomination of a second transport manager. The company knew the provision of an operator compliance audit was a significant factor in the granting of the 0-licence, and yet it failed without good reason to comply with the undertaking. • Stott worked tirelessly, ably assisted by Tilberg, to drive up standards within the organisation. There had been times when his allegiance to his employer had been tested by the actions of De Rooy and Geusens. They, the two key individuals in the organisation as director and transport manager, had failed in their responsibilities.
Geusens told the TC he would attend the Leyland operating centre, but visited only three or four times in 14 months, and even then not on specific transport manager duties.
De Rooy told the TC he would make sure a second transport manager would be appointed, and then made the purely commercial decision not to appoint a second transport manager. Also, he did not ensure the required compliance audit was carried out.
The TC concluded this showed an utter disregard for the authority of the 13K 0-licensing regime.