A heavy haulier facing objections to an increase in its licence blamed the operators sharing the same site for the noise and pollution that neighbours had complained about.
Potteries Heavy Haulage has to wait to see if it will be granted an additional vehicle and four trailers following opposition from local residents.
The West Midlands Deputy Traffic Commissioner Lester Maddrell was considering action against the Stoke-on-Trent based company's licence, together with a variation
application to increase its licence from three vehicles and six trailers to four vehicles and 10 trailers.
Speaking for the company, Tim Culpin said it was engaged on heavy haulage between the UK and the Continent. The vehicles and trailers spent long periods away from the operating centre, and if the additional vehicles were granted, it would increase the movements into and out of the site from four to around five per week.
No maintenance or fuelling was carried out on the site; the company would accept timing conditions and would also undertake not to travel across or around the area at more than 15mph. It was also seeking a new site.
The local residents maintained that even one additional vehicle would compound the current situation. They complained about noise, dirt, sludge, smells, vibration and dust, and said that the situation was getting worse with the surface of the road breaking up. They claimed the situation was affecting people's health.
Director Michael Edwards said that the problems were caused by vehicles operated by three other operators which are licensed for a total of 14 vehicles and 10 trailers at the same site. There were also visiting vehicles in relation to the other businesses. The DTC is to issue his decision in writing at a later date.
SUMMARY
The DTC has to balance the interests of the residents to be able to enjoy their properties without undue disturbance against the interests of the company to expand its business.
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