Haulier’s fleet halved after traffic commissioner hears safety concerns12 September 2014

A haulier who was found to have put profit before safety will have to operate with half of his vehicles for the next three months.

Fraser Woodrow's licence has been curtailed to three vehicles, after Scotland's traffic commissioner Joan Aitken (pictured) ruled that his repute had been severely tarnished, adding that "behind the shiny livery there lurks a non-compliant operator".

The commissioner found that Fraser Woodrow (operating as Fraser Woodrow Haulage) had not carried out routine safety inspections on time –six-week inspections were frequently missed, with some vehicles operating for 14 weeks between checks.

The commissioner said the Isle of Islay haulier had one of the worst service histories she had seen in recent years.

Woodrow had also loaned a vehicle and a driver, William Allan, to another business, which did not hold an operator's licence. The driver was reported after he breached drivers' hours rules to complete a delivery on time. Allan also said he had driven a vehicle with defective tyres.

Allan gave evidence at the hearing, saying he had reported defects and felt under pressure to carry out deliveries for the unlicensed operator. The commissioner acknowledged that his whistleblowing had resulted in the operator's maintenance standards being uncovered, but she could not excuse him completely and suspended him from driving HGVs for five months from 26 September.

The haulier's transport manager Moyra Porter admitted she had not been performing the role. No further action was taken against her after she decided to resign and retire as a transport manager.

Author
Laura Cork

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