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The operational fleet of Denton-based H&B Logistics was suspended until the company supplied evidence to VOSA that every vehicle and trailer is in a fit and roadworthy condition. That meant the fleet was off the road for 24 hours, as freelance mechanic David Brady worked all day and through the night to provide the required evidence. Traffic commissioner Beverley Bell made the suspension order when she adjourned a disciplinary inquiry until next September to give the company one opportunity to  show that it could comply with the O-licensing requirements.

It holds a licence for ten vehicles and three trailers, but has only nine vehicles and three trailers in possession. She said that H&B Logistics had a mountain to climb and she was not prepared to allow the vehicles to go back on the road until she was sure that they were safe. Vehicle examiner Michael Bale said that he had carried out an unannounced maintenance investigation in January following the issue of an 'S' marked prohibition for a brake fault. He inspected two vehicles, issuing one defect notice.

The safety inspection records were not fully completed. Some driver defects were not being rectified quickly and others were left when further investigation and repair was needed. The amount of equipment available was very limited and he considered the facilities were unsatisfactory for the number of vehicles operated. Many of the safety inspections had been carried out by director and transport manager Nicholas  Hall. Claire Riding, speaking for the company, said that Bale had said that the initial failure rate at annual test was 14.29%, considerably better than the national average.

After examining inspection sheets produced at the hearing, Bale said that those completed by Hall showed few if any defects while those completed by David Brady showed many defects. Traffic examiner Rob Williams said that it was evident that the company had little knowledge of the requirements in relation to the Working Time Directive, with no records in place. Questioned by Riding, Williams said that he was satisfied that the company was now adhering to the WTD system that he had advised them to adopt.