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Steve Prince Transport has told a public inquiry that any reduction in its licence following maintenance and drivers' hours problems would make the company financially unviable. The Essex-based general haulier described its appearance at the Cambridge hearing as "deeply embarrassing" after VOSA vehicle examiners uncovered evidence that it was placing the public at risk.

A series of roadside checks and site visits in 2006 and 2007 showed that boss Steve Prince had lost control of vehicle  maintenance, and drivers were failing to carry out checks on their vehicles. The fleet, comprising 27 vehicles and 28 trailers was slapped with more than a dozen penalty notices, including five S-marked immediate prohibitions.

A site visit by vehicle examiner Robert Whitney in 2007, 12 months after his last appearance, found that problems with drivers' hours infringements on daily and weekly rests, charts not being completed and thousands of missing kilometres had worsened. Prince admitted he had not been robust enough in his transport management, but claims to have turned things around, now employing staff to take on maintenance, MoT, planning and business development.

He told deputy traffic commissioner Christopher Heaps that any curtailment on his licence would mean the firm was no longer viable. Heaps said he was struggling to understand why Prince hadn't taken notice of the VOSA inspections and call-up letter, resulting in further prohibitions. For the company,  Tim Ridyard told the DTC that despite the problems, there was no suggestion Prince had been dishonest or tried to cover his tracks. Prince was willing to go on training courses and send his drivers on courses too.

Ridyard added: "This is not a case wherethe operator should be put out of business. It hasn't got to that stage, but it has got terribly close. Even a couple of vehicles taken off the road in real terms would have a significant impact." Heaps is to make his decision in writing.