Bath tipper crash associate Simon Nicholls has O-licence revoked

Emma Shone
May 16, 2017

 

Simon Nicholls, who is associated with Grittenham Haulage, has had his O-licence revoked for a number of offences.

He was granted the licence last year after an 18-month application process and two public inquiries (PIs).

At a PI in Bristol today (16 May) traffic commissioner (TC) for the West of England Kevin Rooney was told that a DVSA inspection on 31 January raised concerns about the operator's ability to maintain his vehicles in a fit and roadworthy condition.

Evidence was given that in December 2016 Nicholls had been running a vehicle that was not named on his O-Licence until March 2017.

Nicholls told the TC that numerous vehicle movements recorded on a vehicle in December were him trying to locate and repair a maintenance fault.

The DVSA questioned this, pointing out that the vehicles had been loaded, and Nicholls later admitted some of the movements had been to move materials connected to his business.

TC Rooney said of one of the days in question: "It looks like you've done four or five return loads."

Announcing his decision to revoke Nicholl's O-licence, TC Rooney said: "Some of the things I've seen today have been quite scary... you have displayed a woeful lack of knowledge. You appear incapable of getting on and getting things done."

He also criticised Nicholls for allowing Karen Wood, who carries out administration for his business, to send emails to the office of the traffic commissioner impersonating Simon Nicholls.

Nicholls' repute as a transport manager was removed and the TC said he would make a future decision on a suitable period of disqualification.

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