Lorry suspension for contractor run by trade federation director

Scotland’s Traffic Commissioner has suspended a Kelso building and property business from using HGVs for three months.

The move comes after M & J Ballantyne Ltd was caught making false claims about the mandatory position of transport manager.

The company will not be allowed to run HGVs until 01 September 2017. After that time, the company’s licence will be curtailed from five to three vehicles for a further three months.

Scotland’s Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken added she had been “on the cusp” of disqualifying the firm’s director Matthew Michael Ballantyne who is also a company director of the Scottish Building Federation.

Aitken said: “I do not find Mr Ballantyne’s action to be excusable.”

The hearing centred on a false declaration that a transport manager was still active in his role despite that not being the case.

AItken added: “The role of transport manager is at the heart of any heavy goods vehicle operation – effective and continuous management is required by law. The requirement is a road safety requirement.

“Road safety is preventative in its purpose. An operator licence is not a piece of paper – it is a commitment to meeting responsibilities to keep people and property safe and for fair competition.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/06/07/lorry-suspension-for-contractor-run-by-trade-federation-director/

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