News

St Helens, Merseyside-based All Plant & Haulage has succeeded in winning a new licence for 15 vehicles and four trailers after North Western Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell said she was "just satisfied on balance" that it met the requirements in relation to repute and professional competence. The TC had been concerned about links managing director Barry Cadden had with Wealdstone-based Castle Hill Transport, whose licence had been revoked, and St Helens Commercials, whose bid for a licence  had been refused.

She had adjourned the initial hearing for advice to be taken because she did not consider the proposed transport manager Anthony McGuinness met the requirement in relation to professional competence. Transport consultant Grahame Robinson said he had discussed the role of transport manager with McGuinness, along with what was expected of him in relation to effective day-to-day control of the vehicles and drivers. The vehicles would be working on a large contract at Brize Norton and McGuinness would be on site with them. Maintenance would be carried out by St Helens Commercials. If vehicles did not return there every six weeks, arrangements would be made to have them inspected in the Brize Norton area.

McGuinness said he would check to make sure drivers were doing their job properly in relation to defect reporting. Tacho­graph records would be sent for outside analysis on a weekly basis, and he would have regular meetings with Cadden. Agreeing that he hadn't  had a clue about the drivers' hours rules on the first day of the hearing, McGuinness said he had been "away from the game" for the past 10 years. The TC granted the licence after undertakings were given that the proposed systems in Robinson's report be implemented and maintained that any change be notified to her that a second transport manager be nominated by the end of next October and that all drivers receive training by the end of November.