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A Lancashire firm that was ordered to suspend its operation for a week because it did not have an O-licence has been granted one after North Western Deputy Traffic Commissioner Mark Hinchliffe was satisfied the company had learnt a lesson. Newton-le-Willows-based CAM European Logistics had applied for a new national licence for 10 vehicles and the DTC had been concerned about the unauthorised use, the links director Christopher Synowiec had with the failed CAM European Freight Services, which  held licences in both the North Western and Eastern Traffic Areas, and its financial standing.

Synowiec said the new company was a much smaller operation and he had personally invested heavily in the business. When the hearing resumed a week later, Synowiec said it had not operated any vehicles in the last week and the DTC said he was pleased to hear it. Synowiec said laying the vehicles up had been very difficult. It had had to subcontract work and pay the workforce that was unable to work.

After considering financial documents produced, the DTC said the company needed to continue to have available £36,800 in capital and reserves over and above the daily ins and outs, which was to be used only for vehicle maintenance in emergencies. In no circumstances must maintenance be compromised or the proper administration of the business by a lack of finance, he added.

In granting the licence, the DTC said he hoped lessons had been learnt. In requiring the vehicles to be taken  off the road for a week the DTC considered it was necessary to demonstrate the power of the Traffic Commissioner and the importance of obeying the O-licensing regime.