Livestock firm’s transport licence suspended for six weeks

A livestock haulier is to be suspended from operating HGVs at the end of this month after Scotland’s Traffic Commissioner said the business hadn’t paid enough attention to safety and licensing standards.

Andrew Adams and partners, trading as A&Y Adams and Sons, won’t be able to operate any of their four vehicles for six weeks from April 30, following a decision by industry regulator Joan Aitken.

In a written decision issued after a public inquiry in Edinburgh, Aitken said: “On 18 August 2017, the operator sent out a vehicle on to the public roads of Scotland in a very dangerous condition. But for the most fortunate checking of this vehicle by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) there would have been a significant wheel loss incident, of that I am in no doubt.

“If ever a case showed the value of DVSA roadside checking, this is one. This decision gives me the opportunity to highlight the very serious practical contribution made by DVSA Vehicle Examiners to road safety in Scotland”.

The Traffic Commissioner added that the partnership had been “dangerously ignorant” about what had to be done and what must not be done to ensure wheel security.

She also criticised the firm’s failure to make sure they had a professional competent transport manager – a legal requirement.

The individual appointed to that role, John Barr, hadn’t been performing the role but the business didn’t notify the Traffic Commissioner or find someone to replace him.

The regualtor said the blame for what had happened on the licence lay with Barr, who did not attend the inquiry, although she noted that Andrew Adams knew the arrangement was casual and not thorough.

Barr lost his repute on the day of the inquiry and was disqualified from acting as a transport manager indefinitely.

Aitken ordered the suspension of the licence held by Andrew Adams and partners with effect from April 30 2018 at 11.59pm for a minimum of six weeks.

The suspension will be removed when the Commissioner is satisfied as to the requirements of professional competence, the identity of the partners and financial standing.