A licence application to operate lorries from a Highlands base by the wife of a disqualified director has been refused after the traffic commissioner (TC) said it was a front for the revoked firm.
Ord Transport director Victoria Fraser appeared before TC for Scotland, Joan Aitken, after applying to run two LGVs out of Dingwall.
Aitken disqualified Victoria’s husband Hunter Fraser, along with his father James Fraser, for five years in July after an incident in which an LGV belonging to Inverness-based Highland Car Crushers shed acid-filled vehicle batteries onto a major road resulting in its closure. Hunter and his father were both directors of Highland Car Crushers.
The TC heard how a subsequent Vosa investigation had uncovered issues with the company’s vehicle maintenance and compliance with dangerous goods regulations.
Victoria had also given evidence at that PI about vehicle safety and maintenance issues, along with convictions of staff involved in the business.
Aitken’s decision is currently the subject of an appeal.
The PI into Ord Transport was called after concerns were raised that the business was a front for Highland Car Crushers.
Aitken said she was not satisfied that the firm and its transport manager had the necessary repute for a licence to be granted.
In her written decision she said: “This is fronting. I am in no doubt that this arrangement, the creation of Ord Transport Ltd, and all the arrangements which have been put in place surrounding it and continuing, are to get around my orders against Highland Car Crushers and Messrs Fraser. This is the means whereby the Fraser family seeks to continue in haulage.”
