Poor road safety record costs firm transport licence

IRISH haulage firm Nolan Transport — one of the biggest transport companies in Europe — has been refused an operating licence in Britain over its poor record on road safety after its vehicles and drivers clocked up more than 4,000 breaches of traffic and vehicle safety legislation in the past five years.

Traffic Commissioner for Wales, Nick Jones, recently rejected Nolan’s application to operate a fleet of 30 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and trailers from its depot in Swansea, claiming its conduct had “jeopardised both road safety and the need for a level playing field with competitors”.

Nolan, which is based in New Ross, Co Wexford, operates 430 HGVs and more than 1,000 trailers.