News

Stephen Bowles of Colnbrook-based air freight company Roy Bowles Transport has been elected chairman of the Road Haulage Association (RHA). The election is not without controversy: Bowles, along with sister Julie, was convicted of corporate manslaughter in November 1999 in what was seen as a landmark case. Their conviction followed an accident in 1997 when a company driver fell asleep at the wheel and smashed into a skip lorry, causing two deaths. Bowles was given a 15-month sentence Julie was  handed a 12-month sentence, although both were suspended for two years.

The sentence was widely regarded as harsh as the driver had previously been given two written warnings for his behaviour and there were complaints that the jury had not been properly briefed. Following the trial Western TC Philip Brown placed a condition on the company's O-licence preventing both Bowles and his sister from being directors. MT has learnt that the pair recently appeared at a public inquiry in a bid to have the condition removed the decision is outstanding. Bowles says he is "quite confident" the final decision will be positive: "It's ten years since that painful lesson and the company and I have a clean record.

"I would like to get on again as director but, if not, I will carry on doing what I am - sales, marketing and IT." The RHA defends Bowles' appointment, saying: "The Board has every confidence in [Bowles] and we have been unanimous in electing him as chairman of the Association."  However the decision has been attacked by road safety charity Brake. A spokesperson says: "We are utterly speechless. This man was responsible for a huge breach of safety law that led directly to the deaths of two people. For the RHA to endorse him as an individual by electing him as an industry leader is deeply offensive to everyone working hard to improve safety standards. It's an utterly bizarre choice."