No safety checks at Westbury firm (From Wiltshire Times)

No safety checks at Westbury firm

3:00pm Saturday 16th February 2013 in Latest News By Andy Baber

A Westbury firm has been told it is lucky to still be in business, after a hearing into vehicle maintenance and safety found proper inspections had not been carried out for years.

Terrence Regler, trading as Westbury Wilts Car & Commercial Breakers, has had his operators licence cut back so the business can now only run two, not five, vehicles and one trailer.

Tim Hayden, deputy traffic commissioner for the west of England, made the direction at a public inquiry on Monday in Bristol, after hearing that safety checks had not been carried out since 2008.

After hearing representations from Mr Regler, Mr Hayden told him he had been fortunate to retain his licence. He also directed that any further evidence of non-compliance could lead to him losing his authority to operate vehicles and trailers.

Mr Regler gave two undertakings, making a commitment for all routine safety inspections to be carried out by the approved contractor and to complete an Operator Licence Awareness Course within three months.