Noble aspiration pays off after PI appearance

A Northampton operator who had his licence revoked last year has been given a second chance at running trucks after a traffic commissioner was persuaded he had met the statutory criteria.

Ashley Warren, sole director of Noble Scaffolding, appeared at a Cambridge public inquiry after filling out an application to operate two HGVs under a restricted licence from a Dodford operating centre. Warren had previously held a licence for two HGVs, but this was revoked in February 2020 after a traffic examiner identified “a general lack of awareness of requirements” following a site visit.

In his new application, Warren explained that he had created a transport management system; joined the RHA; undertaken additional training; outsourced drivers’ hours analysis and he also proposed undertaking an audit three months after the licence was granted. Warren had also employed a transport consultant to assist with setting up any administration and management.

In a written decision following the PI, traffic commissioner Richard Turfitt granted the licence, but also warned Warren that there could be no repeat of his previous non-compliance: “Mr Warren was left in no doubt that as the sole director he is responsible for ensuring compliance with the operator licence requirements,” he said. “I was persuaded that the applicant had met the statutory criteria so that I could grant the licence.”