Suspicions aroused over scaffolder’s licence application

Chris Tindall
April 20, 2021

Two connected Scottish firms have had their applications for restricted licences refused after the traffic commissioner found there was evidence of unlawful operation.

Scaff Solutions had applied for a licence for two vehicles, but before a decision was made two of its lorries were stopped and found to be already undertaking work. Less than three weeks after a DVSA interview with its director, Paul Tait, an application for three vehicles was then received from a company called Scaff Solutions West. Its director was named as Lee McIver – Scaff Solutions’ office manager.

At a conjoined public inquiry, Tait declined to answer any questions about unlawful operating on legal advice, but national ANPR camera evidence showed that his firm used HGVs on public roads 49 times without an O-licence.

McIver told deputy TC Hugh Olson he had deliberately chosen the name Scaff Solutions West so that work could be channelled from Scaff Solutions, but he denied setting up the business to enable Tait to keep his going. The DTC said Scaff Solutions had been breaking the law and that it was unfit to hold a licence.

In his written decision, he also said he didn’t find McIver’s evidence convincing and that the timing of Scaff Solutions West’s incorporation and licence application were suspicious: “The applicant has not satisfied me that its application is not a device to get round the problems that Scaff Solutions faced in obtaining its own restricted licence,” he said.

About the Author

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Chris Tindall

Chris Tindall started writing for the haulage and logistics industry in 2002 and has covered a broad range of significant issues, including GPS jamming by criminals, platooning and Brexit.

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