Two major North Wales hauliers, Ruthin-based LE Jones and LE Jones International, have had their O-licences revoked by the Welsh Deputy TC after their MD "failed to perform his duty as a director" and the firms and their drivers pleaded guilty to a number of hours and tacho offences. In June last year, the two companies and the drivers concerned were ordered to pay £26,725 in fines and costs by Wrexham magistrates following a VOSA investigation.
However, Deputy TC Miles Dorrington was told the offences taken to court were "only the tip of the iceberg" and there had been a failure to produce a substantial number of charts. There had been no proper control at the time and it was admitted that drivers had not been instructed about the changes in the drivers' hours rules. Transport manager David Hughes admitted he had paid lip service to training drivers.
Revoking the licences with effect from midnight on 3 May, the Deputy TC said that he considered that the conduct of the two companies was such that they ought to be put out of business, despite any improvements they may now have made.
Problems were "long standing" and had compromised road safety and fair competition in the industry, he said. MD Trefor Jones had failed in his duty as a director and a transport manager because he was instrumental in the failure of both companies to secure compliance with the drivers' hours and tachograph rules.
The Deputy TC therefore determined that Jones has lost his good repute both as a director and as a transport manager. David Hughes was also held to have lost his repute, said Dorrington. The two companies said they will appeal against the Deputy TC's decision.
Download the the DTC's decision regarding LE Jones Ltd and LE Jones International Ltd or the LE Jones driver conduct hearing.
Year: 2021 | Body Type: Tractor unit | Cab Type: GX | Mileage: 357,503 km | Power: 375 bhp | Category: Tractor units
Year: 2019 | Body Type: Panel van | Cab Type: Single Cab | Mileage: 131,006 km | Power: 1,997 bhp | Category: Vans
