Durham-based Anglo Dutch Logistics could face action against its licence following illegal operation by an associated coach company whose licence had been revoked. The sole director of the company, which holds a licence for four vehicles and six trailers, was Anne Stidwell. For the company, David Glover told North Eastern Traffic Commissioner Tom Macartney that an application for a five-vehicle PSV O-licence by Anglo International Coaches, a director of which was Stidwell's common-law husband Ralph Brown, had been withdrawn.
Anglo Dutch Logistics wished to surrender its O-licence. The nominated transport manager Brian Smith was no longer employed. The one vehicle specified on the licence since it was granted had not turned a wheel. Application had been made for a licence because of a number of contracts they had sought but then failed to win
Stidwell said that Ralph Brown did not have any involvement with Anglo Dutch Logistics. ADL's one vehicle was now up for sale. They did not get the work promised as it had taken so long for the licence to come through. The TC said that information from Vosa and the police was that coaches had been frequently used to carry passengers within the UK by a Dutch company, Browns Coaches BV, of which Stidwell was a director, and that appeared to have been happening since the Dutch company's licence had been revoked.
Stidwell said that they had not realised the licence had been revoked and when they rang Holland they were told it was OK to continue. Asked why they had been operating in the UK with a Dutch licence, Stidwell replied: " I don't know." At that point she walked out and left the building. The TC is to announce his decision in writing at a future date.
Decision will hinge on ADL's relationship to coach firm
The TC is considering Stidwell's involvement with the coach company in relation to her directorship of Anglo Dutch Logistics.