Lorry firm faces action after drivers caught not taking breaks (From Surrey Comet)

Owner of Worcester Park Feely Grab & Skip Hire faces action after drivers caught not taking breaks

12:00pm Tuesday 12th February 2013 in News By Mike Pyle

The owner of a skip hire company could have his licence revoked after one of his drivers was caught working without taking breaks.

David Feely, owner of Worcester Park-based Feely Grab & Skip Hire, will appear before a tribunal later this month after an employee was caught driving without taking a break on four separate occasions.

Lorry drivers have to have a break every four-and-a-half hours. Magistrates fined both Feely and the driver but Feely could face action for not telling Traffic Commissioner for London about the incidents.

A spokesman for the Traffic Commissioner for London and the South East said: “Operators can be prosecuted for permitting these offences. In this case the operator was also prosecuted and there were fines for the business.

“The operator is required to tell the commissioner - this operator doesn’t appear to have made that representation.”

Feely will have the chance to explain the offences at the tribunal, which will take place in Eastbourne on Wednesday, February 20.

If the commissioner does not accept Feely’s explanation there are a range of punishments available, including cutting the number of vehicles he can operate or even the revocation of his licence.

Feely Grab & Skip Hire is based in Gareth Close and supplies 18 tonne trucks, skips and mini-diggers in London, Surrey and Kent.