North Western traffic commissioner Beverley Bell has revoked Birkenhead-based Wyre Transport's licence in what she said was one of the worst cases she has ever dealt with.
Bell disqualified the company, now in liquidation, and its directors from holding an O-licence indefinitely. A Golborne public inquiry heard that the company and its drivers had been convicted of a series of drivers hours' and tachograph offences. Twenty drivers had been prosecuted.
Vehicles had been issued with
prohibitions and the company had been operating trailers without authority. It appeared that the Inland Revenue had shut it down for non-payment of taxes.
Bell said pressure from employers - which the drivers highlighted - was not an acceptable explanation for their actions. Of the 12 drivers appearing, six who only had drivers' hours offences had their LGV driving licences suspended for two days while one had his licence suspended for three days and another given a formal warning.
Some had licences suspended for a number of weeks while others had their licences revoked and were disqualified from holding one for 12 months. Former director James McIlroy had his LGV licence revoked and was disqualified indefinitely from holding a licence.
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