Emissions dodge sees firm’s lorry fleet slashed
A FIRM that specialises in waste disposal and drainage services has had its operating licence cut by the Traffic Commissioner after it admitted flouting emission rules.
Penrhyndeudraeth- based Gwynedd Environmental Waste Services’ (GEWS) lorry fleet will be cut from 25 to 10 for three months.
The repute of the firm has been “severely tarnished” deputy Traffic Commissioner for Wales Andrew Seculer said in a written decision after a public inquiry at Welshpool last month.
The company must also submit an independent audit of maintenance and traffic compliance systems, including tachographs and drivers’ hours, by the end of September and annually thereafter.
He said he was aware of the potential impact a suspension or curtailment of licence might have on the company.
“This curtailment will undoubtedly have an adverse impact on the operator company’s profitability but the operator may reflect on the reasons for the action and consider the expectations of legitimate, compliant operators and the public at large where sustained, systemic cheating has occurred,” he said.
Mr Seculer heard GEWS was a family-owned business that had held an operating licence since 2003 and is authorised to operate 25 vehicles and 25 trailers.
Last August, a prohibition notice was issued against one of the company’s vehicles for having an AdBlue emulator, an emissions cheat device, fitted.
An unannounced visit to the company was made by DVSA Vehicle Examiner, Phillip Bramham in November and he found 20 vehicles still operating with AdBlue cheat devices.
The use of AdBlue fluid combines with the gas to convert nitrogen oxides, which are harmful to the environment and public health, into harmless nitrogen and water. It is added to the exhaust of diesel vehices from a tank near the exhaust system.
The emulators, or AdBlue cheat devices, circumvent the essential warning systems that tell the driver or operator if the system requires maintenance, develops a fault or if the emission levels become unacceptable. They also undermine the whole purpose of the vehicle emissions legislation.
The Traffic Commissioner’s report notes: “The company’s response to the DVSA’s formal request for an explanation stated that the emulators were fitted to overcome technical difficulties with the emissions warning sys- tems in some vehicles.
“It denied any intent to deceive and stated the cost of fitting the emulators was greater than any savings made. The non-removal of the devices after the initial stop was an admitted failing.”
He added: “The very name of the company, Gwynedd Environmental Services Ltd, demonstrates that environmental issues must be at the core of their existence so to suggest that ignorance and naivety are at the root of their failings in this case defies common sense and reasonable belief.”
Mr Bramham concluded the operator has gained an unfair commercial advantage. Solicitors for GEWS said the firm had made a £10,000 voluntary donation to North Wales Wildlife Trust and had revamped the company with new directors and a new transport manager in place.