A LOCAL coach company has been stripped of its licence to operate by the Department of Transport, following numerous complaints regarding the safety of its vehicles.

Greatham Travel, based at Longmoor Road, will have its Public Service Vehicle Operators Licence revoked, with effect from Monday, August 20, if an appeal is unsuccessful.

A public inquiry into the company's activities was held at the South East and Metropolitan Traffic Area headquarters on Monday after it was alleged that some of the vehicles in use were unroadworthy and that incorrect excise documentation had been found on a number of coaches.

Action was taken under section 17 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981, when the inquiry found that there had been a "Breach of undertakings for drivers' reporting of defects, the keeping of vehicles in a fit and serviceable condition, and to observe the laws relating to the operations of vehicles."

A large proportion of Greatham Travel's business is concerned with school trips and school bus runs. Concern about the company's activities started when local police received increasing levels of complaints from a number of local schools and parents, about the condition of the vehicles being used.

Sergeant Paul Baines of Whitehill Traffic Police handled most of these reports. He said: "We were contacted by several schools and concerned parents, who were worried about the safety and roadworthiness of the vehicles in use.

"I, as the traffic sergeant, obviously took a close interest in these claims. Officers stopped Greatham Travel coaches on eight occasions, and prohibitions were served on eight vehicles in less than 12 months.

"All of the accounts of unroadworthiness and documentation violations gave me a strong impression of a coach company that was being improperly run. This meant that it was my duty to report the situation to the traffic office."

Colin Clarke, administrative director of the South East and Metropolitan Traffic Area, said: "The company did not adhere to the declaration of intent made when signing the licence application,

"Following a visit by the vehicle inspectorate, many vehicles had been deemed as unroadworthy. The operator had also lost his good repute, as some vehicles had been used while untaxed.

"Many of these matters are still pending prosecution. Things often go wrong with vehicles, but it is a matter of how often they go wrong and what is done about it. Good drivers are central to good practice in vehicle upkeep, but the buck stops with the operator."

Mr Clarke went on to describe some of the accounts heard in the hearing. He said: "There was an incident in November where a coach was stopped with 14 children on board. It had no sign indicating that the bus was carrying children, and the rear lights and brake lights were inoperational.

"Another bus was stopped in February this year, and it was found that the vehicle's tax disc had expired the previous November. Also there were problems with the vehicle's tachograph.

"In another instance, 25 school children were stuck on a broken down bus, and the one sent to replace it was displaying incorrect excise disc documentation.

"We at the traffic office expect high standards from our licence-holders, and if operators fall below these standards, then they find themselves up in front of the commissioner. Greatham Travel seemed to have a general background of poorly maintained and badly documented vehicles.

"We have the advantage of not having to wait for successful criminal proceedings before we can take action.

"The proprietor of Greatham Travel, Martin John Chennell, has been given four weeks in which to run down his business and lodge an appeal if he so wishes, when many operators are taken off of the road immediately. Also, he has not been banned from applying for another licence in the future, which is well within the powers of the commissioner."

At the time of going to press, Mr Chennell was unavailable for comment.