The TC made the decision after expressing a number of concerns, including failure to report an accident and professional competence
The 10-vehicle international licence held by Warrington-based Tansey Coaches has been revoked by Traffic Commissioner (TC) Simon Evans. The TC also disqualified Transport Manager (TM) David Bennett from acting as such indefinitely.
When the company, of Hardwick Grange, Woolston, Warrington, first appeared before the TC, he adjourned proceedings to enable Director Wendy Pringle to attend after hearing that the signature on a TM1 form was not that of the proposed TM Guy Morgan.
When the hearing continued the TC said that he was disappointed to see David Bennett on his own. He had specifically asked that Wendy Pringle attend as a lot of what concerned him happened on her watch.
His concerns included breaches of the drivers’ hours and tachograph rules, the keeping of records, professional competence, repute of the company and the TM, failing to report an accident, not complying with specific undertakings regarding brake testing and audits, the non-notification of the current operating centre, and the poor prohibition history.
Mr Bennett had received a four-month term of imprisonment suspended for eight months for driving while disqualified, and at a later date a term of six months’ immediate imprisonment for the same offence.
Mr Bennett said that he and his father Barry took over the company when John Tansey's health deteriorated. Wendy Pringle and his father were not now involved and he had the sole input into the business. His brother Darren Bennett was presently employed as a driver but that would only be for a short period and he would be taking the TM’s CPC exam.
He claimed that the first offence of driving while disqualified took place when a company vehicle had broken down and the driver had walked back to the operating centre. He simply drove the empty bus back having repaired it, a distance of some 200 yards.
In his written decision, the TC said that the catalyst for the Public Inquiry was an unsatisfactory maintenance investigation after the road traffic accident. The coach in question was subject to prohibition. It transpired it was laden with passengers and uninsured at the time.
This was a bad case. The seriousness of the shortcomings and the fact that they ranged across so many areas of activity including the maintenance arrangements, business administration, cooperation with DVSA, liaison with the Office of the Traffic Commissioner and the commission of offences was seriously concerning. A real threat to road safety was reflected in the issue of prohibitions and deployment of an uninsured vehicle.
It appeared that David Bennett had been the linchpin of the business. He had been the one purchasing vehicles, managing the maintenance process, speaking with prospective TMs and dealing with DVSA contact. He was satisfied that he was and had been the guiding mind behind the business.
Collectively, those responsible for this licence, David Bennett, Wendy Pringle, Barry Bennett and Darren Bennett, had engaged in persistent conduct adversely affecting road safety, which was criminal in nature and which was anti-competitive.
