A Southampton haulier with an “atrocious” MOT history has had its licence revoked by the traffic commissioner.
TC Kevin Rooney said he could not trust Stafford Haulage to be compliant in the future due to the parlous state of its finances
The operator appeared before him at a Bristol public inquiry after a maintenance investigation by the DVSA found a number of shortcomings, including poor annual test history, inadequate maintenance standards and a failure to carry out brake performance tests.
Director and transport manager David Stafford told the TC he had now employed a new person to undertake maintenance but that the compliance issues had arisen due to financial concerns.
In his written decision, Rooney said: “Importantly here, the transport manager is the director and owner and I find that transport management decisions have been influenced by financial pressures.
“Vehicles should not have been in use whilst not taxed and tyres should not be worn down to 0.21mm. An independent transport manager would, or should, not have allowed that to happen.”
The TC added that Stafford was conflicted in his roles as owner and transport manager and so his repute was lost and he was disqualified for 12 months.
However, he was not disqualified as an operator and Rooney left the door open for a new application to be made: “If it is, it will be with a new, independent, transport manager,” he said.
“It is also more likely to succeed if I am offered relevant undertakings.”
