Rapid audit to demonstrate compliance

A haulier wanting to work as a DX Freight subcontractor has been given seven months to obtain a satisfactory compliance audit after making errors in its licence application.

Rapid Transport Essex applied to run five HGVs, but it aroused concerns after failing to name Michael Barrett as a director, even though he was listed at Companies House at the time the application was lodged. Barrett was connected to a string of other businesses whose licences were either surrendered or revoked over the last seven years.

At a Cambridge public inquiry, director Karen Barrett – wife of Michael – told TC Richard Turfitt that her husband had no ties to Rapid Transport Essex beyond providing a start-up loan of £85,000. She said the intention had been to remove him as director once the money had been repaid, but due to the concerns raised by the TC’s office he now had no financial interest.

Summing up, Turfitt said: “I accept that the provision of a joint bank account referring to Mr Barrett does not equate to a sophisticated attempt to mislead. “However, the failure to declare the appointment of Mr Barrett was misleading but soon identified.”

He granted an interim licence and requested a full compliance audit so he could decide whether to provide full authorisation: “That grant is subject to a condition that Michael Terrence Barrett will have no involvement with the management or operation of this transport undertaking,” he added.