A ROOFING firm has said it will hand in its licence to operate lorries after 'serious failings' were found in the way it maintained its vehicle.
IC Roofing, based at Hackhurst Lane in Lower Dicker, had its licence suspended for a month after a Traffic Commissioner's inquiry in Eastbourne on Friday.
The inquiry heard IC Roofing had failed to comply with the terms of its licence by not ensur
ing its lorry was roadworthy and for not introducing a defect reporting system quickly enough.
IC Roofing admitted it was at fault and said it planned to dispose of the lorry in question.
Ed Coles, an examiner for the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), told the inquiry IC Roofing had failed inspections in September 2006 and February this year.
Mr Coles said there was no drivers' defect reporting system and the lorry failed a test for the condition of its tyres, lights and brake performance. These defects were corrected after a service and it later passed a further test.
However the inquiry heard one of the company's drivers pleaded guilty to using a vehicle in a dangerous condition in June.
The company was fined £750 and ordered to pay £207 costs. The driver was given a £140 fine and told to pay £139 costs.
Christopher Hutton, IC Roofing's office manager, admitted at the inquiry the company was at fault for the poor maintenance of its lorry.
He added the lorry would be disposed of and said its licence to operate lorries handed in.
He said, "Our drivers were not doing the job properly. I offer my sincere apologies."
Christopher Heaps, deputy traffic commissioner, said the lack of a defect reporting system was 'inexplicable'.
He said, "The company did not have in place a drivers' defect system until February 2008.
"This breach is the more unacceptable and inexplicable. It had been identified by VOSA in October 2006 and in November a log book was placed in the vehicle - but sadly did not seem to have been used.
"Despite these failings, albeit serious, it would not be appropriate to revoke the licence."
Mr Heaps suspended IC Roofing from operating lorries for a month but acknowledged the firm's intention to surrender its licence.
He said IC Roofing would have to declare the suspension if it wanted to re-apply for the licence.
Mr Heaps added, "There's a mark now against the company should it ever come back into the lorry operating business."
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