LA reserves decision
Page 14
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DECISION has been reserved on the renewal of the licence held by Mansfield Roadways after it was opposed by two local authorities and a number of local residents at a two-day public enquiry.
Eastern Licensing Authority Kenneth Peter heard that the company was seeking authority for 21 vehicles and six trailers from a base in Stanley Road, Mansfield. There were objections from Nottinghamshire County Council and Mansfield Borough Council. Seven residents of Stanley Road and the nearby Alexandra Avenue made representations on environmental grounds and two petitions were produced.
Residents gave evidence of vehicles leaving the operating centre as early as 4am. They complained about the noise and fumes from vehicles left with engines running, employees parking cars in Stanley Road and about
obstruction by vehicles queueing to enter the premises. One resident claimed that he was abused and threatened by a driver when he asked him to move a lorry that was blocking his driveway.
Roger Noon, the Borough Council's director of technical services said Stanley Road was a narrow residential colde-sac. The entrance to the company's premises was restricted and severe congestion was caused when lorries were trying to negotiate the entrance or were waiting for others to do so. At times lorries had been seen to back out on to the main Nottingham Road causing driving hazards.
The physical presence of lorries was visually detrimental to the residential character of the street and the confined nature of the operating centre and its proximity to residential property tended to hinder the dispersion of fumes. He asked that renewal be refused or restrictive conditions placed on any licence granted.
Similar objections were made by the County Council.
Dennis Poxon, managing director of Mansfield Roadways, said that any restriction on the number of vehicles would mean a cut in the work that the company was able to undertake.
The company was constantly on the look-out for alternative premises.