Commissioner warns recycling vehicle operators

The criticism and warnings about potential failures over vehicle licensing came this week from the London and South East traffic commissioner, Nick Denton.

Mr Denton said that “trades including construction, scaffolding and recycling, need to take vehicle operations seriously and realise transport is an industry with professional and legally binding standards.”

He called on restricted operators – licensed to carry their own goods within the United Kingdom and across the European Community – to “take ownership of compliance,” after revoking a local supermarket’s operating licence for widespread failings.

Heavy goods and public service vehicle operators must be licensed, and the traffic commissioners’ role in this licensing process, explained the commissioner’s office, is “essential to deliver safer roads, fair competition in road haulage and passenger transport, reliable and convenient public transport, and to help preserve the environment.”

Responsibility

Commenting on the supermarket case, Mr Denton said Rateneed Ltd, which trades as Deepak Foods, had shown no appreciation for the need to operate within safety regulations and no urgency to improve standards.

His decision to revoke the company’s licence from 15 July means the business will be prevented from carrying goods using commercial vehicles. The regulator said it was clear the Tooting business had to undergo a complete change of culture before it could be trusted to hold a licence again.

Mr Denton added that directors needed to assume their responsibilities or give way to others with the required capabilities, stating: “Somebody in the organisation needs to take ownership of compliance and acquire the necessary knowledge – through formal training – of an operator’s responsibilities and duties.”

And, the commissioner noted, all operators agree to a number of promises when their licence is granted, including keeping vehicles taxed and insured, checking that drivers have the right licence to drive HGVs, keeping vehicles and trailers roadworthy and keeping  vehicle maintenance and driver check records for 15 months.