No charts loses firm its licence
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A failure to produce tachograph charts has led to the revocation of Dover-based Frigoline's licence. South Eastern & Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner Christopher Heaps also disqualified director Geoffrey Hoyle indefinitely from holding an 0-licence; managing director Geoffrey Hart was disqualified for three years.
However, as Hart is also managing director of Geoff Hart Transport, which holds a licence for 34 vehicles and 20 trailers, the TG directed that his disqualification will not come into force until the beginning of April so appropriate arrangements can be made.
Traffic examiner Brian Kennett told the TC that despite requests for the production of tachograph charts for July, August and November 2000, none had been produced, and no explanation had been offered.
Hoyle said he had resigned as a director in 1998, but had remained as operations manager. He claimed the tachograph charts had been in a briefcase that had been stolen from a car belonging to transport manager Kenton Beasley.
Hart agreed that he had told the traffic examiner he was an executive director of Frigoline, but said that though he was described as "managing director' on the company's notepaper he had no part in its day-today operation. He added that the company was run by Boyle, Beasley and a David Elvey. Hart said he had no idea where the tachograph chats were kept, as he had no responsibility for drivers, contracts or charges.
Appearing for the company, Jim Duckworth said it was unable to produce charts in November, as they had been in Beasley's possession, and the company had been unable to contact him because he was ill. It was trying to deliver them in July when they were stolen.
Revoking the company's eight-vehicle/eight-trailer licence, the TC said its failure went to the heart of the licensing system "The rules requiring tachograph charts to be kept were made to protect the public, so as to ensure that drivers do not work excessive hours and possibly cause accidents or even deaths as a result of tiredness and fatigue, and are central to the whole concept of HGV licensing," he added.
Disqualifying Boyle. the IC said he was shown as a director on the public record at the Companies Registry and on the company's notepaper. With others, he had continued to control the company throughout 2000.
In relation to Hart, the IC said: "I can come to no conclusion other than he allowed his name to be used as a 'front' for others, possibly messrs Royle and Ehrey. By so doing he has prejudiced his reputation as director of a reputable company."