News

Chorley haulier Andrew Hargreaves, whose maintenance records were alleged to be false, has to wait for a decision on his licence from North-western deputy traffic commissioner Elizabeth Perrett. Hargreaves, trading as Hargreaves Haulage, holds a licence for 14 trucks and one trailer and appeared at public inquiry seven weeks ago. That hearing was adjourned. Resuming last week, Perrett said she also had before her an application for a licence for five vehicles and two trailers by Hargreaves Haulage  (Coppull) Ltd.

Vehicle examiner Anthony Hicks said there had been 23 prohibitions and 12 refusals to clear or variation notices. The initial failure rate at annual test and prohibition clearance was 97%. Hicks and Emma Atkinson, a partner at P & E Commercials, gave conflicting evidence on whether or not Hargreaves brought in his trucks for maintenance. Hicks said she had told him the trucks weren't brought in, she denied ever saying that. Hicks had made contemporaneous notes of the conversation. Traffic examiner Peter Ilsley said that, in his view, maintenance records had been fabricated.

Hargreaves said he had a lot of trouble with drivers not turning in - and had sold eight wagons over a weekend as he was sick of the drivers.