PSV Operator Keeps Licence at Traffic Commissioner’s Public Inquiry Despite Running With Transport Manager “In Name Only.”

Barrister Helen Newbold represented this Operator at Public Inquiry after they were called in for significant failings in respect of their maintenance regime.

 It was established that the operation had been run with the Transport Manager acting in name only for a number of years which lead to the exceptionally poor record. However Helen Newbold was able to establish, to the satisfaction of the Deputy Traffic Commissioner, that since the call in letter was issued significant work had been done by the Operator with the assistance of a reputable transport consultant.

 The Deputy Traffic Commissioner thanked the operator for his candid responses and the fact that he was honest in acknowledging his own mistakes. In doing so the Deputy Traffic Commissioner stated that the very fine balance had swung in the favour of the operator and went to satisfy the test as to whether he could be trusted going forward.  The decision was against revocation in this instance with a sanction in the form of a suspension of the licence imposed but with no loss of repute for the operator.