News

North-Western deputy traffic commissioner Mark Hinchliffe has refused R Ascroft Plant Hire's bid for a licence for six vehicles.

He has also revoked the LGV licences of eight drivers employed by both the company and the now defunct Ascroft International for up to two years. Hinchliffe made his decision after hearing that two of Ascroft International's vehicles had contained interrupter devices while work had been carried out to the tachograph head on a third. One driver had alleged that  director Robert Ascroft, now sole director of R Ascroft Plant Hire, had fitted the devices.

Director Graham Ascroft knew about the tachograph interference switches, instructed drivers in their use and used the switch himself repeatedly and routinely, Hinchcliffe said, adding that it was inconceivable that Robert Ascroft would not have known that four vehicles had been fitted with a switch and nine drivers had used switches to generate 74 false readings.

Hinchliffe said Robert Ascroft and transport manager John Ascroft had colluded with their father in illegal, dangerous and dishonest practices.