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A London-based operator who failed to prove he had the required finances of £13,000 has lost his appeal against the revocation of his three-vehicle O-licence. Alan Hanley, who trades as A Hanley & Son of Tooting, was granted a licence in February 2006 after giving an undertaking that three months' bank statements would be provided by the end of March 2006. Various bank statements were faxed to the Traffic Area but were illegible and he was told originals should be sent.

After three reminders  bank statements were sent in June 2006 showing a balance of more than £7,000 and a credit card facility of £3,000. Hanley was told the documents did not meet the statutory requirement of £13,000 and was asked for further financial information. Further documents were sent in September 2006 but they still fell short of demonstrating that £13,000 was available. Hanley said he had another bank account and would send further statements.

In December 2006 and February and March 2007 Hanley was contacted because nothing had been received. In April the licence was revoked by the then South Eastern & Metropolitan TC Christopher Heaps. Before the Transport Tribunal Hanley accepted that he had been repeatedly informed of the need to show that £13,000 was available and that he had failed to comply. He said he had always regarded the necessary finance as constituting working capital rather than a minimum figure. He accepted that the letters had been properly sent.

Dismissing the  appeal, the Tribunal said it was surprised that the Traffic Area Office had been so long suffering. Hanley had only himself to blame for the situation. The Tribunal was satisfied that the Traffic Area Office had behaved properly throughout and that Hanley had persistently failed to meet the requirement of financial standing.