Breaches cost lorry firm licence

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A haulage firm which broke rules on tachographs and drivers' hours said it is "shocked" its licence was revoked.

LE Jones Ltd, of Ruthin, Denbighshire, is banned from operating from 3 May following a public inquiry, and after 20 of its drivers were prosecuted.

The deputy traffic commissioner for Wales said it was "appropriate and proportionate" to put the firm, which employs 100 people, out of business.

The firm said it was "horrified" and has launched an appeal.

LE Jones Ltd has held a national licence for 40 vehicles and 105 trailers, while LE Jones International Ltd is licensed for 30 vehicles and 50 trailers.

There was clear unlawful activity being undertaken by the operators and their drivers Miles Dorrington, Deputy Traffic Commissioner

Deputy traffic commissioner Miles Dorrington said both companies had lost their good repute and their licences would be revoked under the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995, with effect from 2359 BST on 3 May.

Mr Dorrington said the firms had "failed to comply with the undertakings to have proper arrangements in place to ensure compliance with the drivers' hours and tachograph rules and regulations".

He said a public inquiry was launched following an investigation by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (Vosa).

In addition, 20 drivers employed by the firms attended a separate driver conduct hearing at Flint Magistrates Court in February.

It was found that none of the drivers received training from the operators on new drivers hours and tachograph rules introduced in 2007, until 14 months later.

'Unlawful activity'

All of the drivers had committed offences under the regulations, and some were found to have kept false records.

Most of the drivers had their licences revoked or suspended.

Mr Dorrington concluded that "there was clear unlawful activity being undertaken by the operators and their drivers in their failure to comply with the legislation and undertakings on each of the operator licences."

His report said road safety had been compromised and both companies "acted in a way that compromised fair competition within the industry".

The inquiry report said the recorded offences were only the tip of the iceberg.

The inquiry also ruled that director Trefor Jones had lost his good repute as a director and as a transport manager, and David Hughes has lost his good repute as a transport manager.

A spokesman for LE Jones said the company, established in 1975, was "shocked and horrified" at the ruling.

He said the company accepted it had done things wrong in the past, but improvements had been made.

He said some drivers who had broken driving time regulations were no longer with the company and others had been re-trained.

He stressed that the company was still trading and an appeal had already been lodged.