International operator loses licence
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Lea Anto Continental
• Metropolitan LA Air Vice-Marshal R G Ashford has revoked the international operator's licence for 10 vehicles and 10 trailers granted in June, 1987, to Lea Anto Continental Ltd of La Rosa, Orbital Road, Garston, Watford.
The company was called to a public inquiry for three reasons, but did not attend.
In a written decision, the LA says the company, applying for the licence, declared it had no convictions; whereas convictions had been acquired, these had not been reported as demanded by a condition on the licence, and the nature of the offence cast doubt on the company's good repute; and the company.had failed to produce tachograph charts on a number of occasions when requested by a traffic examiner.
In his decision, the LA says he revokes the licence under Section 69(1)(a), S69(1)(b), S69(1)(c) and S69(1)(d) of the Transport Act 1968. "I also revoke the company's licence under Regulation 9 of the Regulations as I cannot be satisfied that the requirement to be of good repute is met," says the LA.
Under S69(7) of the Act, the LA clisqlialifies G La Porta and Mrs R La Porta, directors, from holding a licence in any traffic area for three years.
The LA's concern stemmed from the company being fined £1,500 by Watford magistrates in October 1986 for a series of breaches of drivers' hours, failure to produce records and also for not paying the correct excise duty on one vehicle Enforcement staff told the LA of difficulty in obtaining tachograph records from the company over some considerable time. In February 1988 the company was again convicted for six offences concerning drivers' hours and on two counts of failing to produce records; the fines totalled £1,250. Its sister company, Continental Freight Services Ltd, on the same day was also convicted for failing to produce records and was fined £150.
"Offences involving drivers' hours are extremely serious," says the LA. "The public are clearly put at risk when these rules are ignored."
"In reaching my findings," says the LA, "I have considered the company's previous history. They have held a licence since 1970 and my file shows that prior to 1983 their record is unblemished. There are probably other matters which could offset some of the adverse material I have outlined above and I have borne in mind that, with the absence of the company's representations, I cannot have the complete picture. The company's absence is regretted, but that is not sufficient reason for me to hold my hand."
• A research contract worth £8,000 investigating how acceptable and effective the public sees potential changes in road traffic law and possible new measures has been awarded to NOP Market Research. The results will assist the Department of Transport in deciding medium and long-term policies.