A recovery firm that has operated in Swindon for 40 years will have its operating licence revoked, despite the director's claims that the firm has done nothing wrong.
The decision comes after an inspection report carried out by the Traffic Commissioner for the West of England was published on the UK Government website.
The report states that Scorpion Engineering Ltd, which operates from Newcombe Drive in Swindon, overloaded vehicles and had "poor maintenance standards".
Kevin Rooney wrote in his report, "I ask myself whether this is an operator I can trust to be compliant in the future. I find emphatically that I cannot.
"That is because of the repeated failings over a lengthy period of time, knowingly and recklessly made."
Despite this report, company director Nigel Hannon has denied wrongdoing and is appealing the ruling.
Mr Hannon spoke directly to the Swindon Advertiser about his decision to appeal, but does not wish to publicly comment further.
The director was told the decision on Christmas Eve, and is concerned that his 25 employees could be at risk.
Scorpion Engineering offers fleet delivery for leasing companies, 24-hour recovery services and 24-hour garage workshops.
The Traffic Commissioner found that, at one point, a driver for Scorpion Engineering picked up a vehicle which was "100 kilos over, due to misinformation from their customer" on September 11.
"The driver was relatively new and didn't know different vehicle makes and models," Mr Rooney's report stated.
"The collection had taken place at 4am and the driver hadn't felt she could ring anyone to check."
The report added there had been "serious breaches of undertakings, including repeated overloading of vehicles" at Scorpion Engineering.
"I expressed concern that Mr Hannon seemed not to understand the impact of running dangerously overloaded vehicles."
However, it also states that Mr Hannon had been "very proactive" in attempts to resolve the issue of a tachograph E20NJH being calibrated incorrectly in July 2025.
Recommended reading:
'Real concern' for future of Swindon pubs as popular landlords step down
Swindon dance school celebrates 15 years and announces new location
Supermarket 'weeks away from opening' as excitement builds
"A full file had been sent via email to DVSA but DVSA couldn’t receive it. He had evidence that the file had been sent," the report reads.
"A lot of effort was put in to making sure the drivers were right."
Mr Hanning maintains that the decision to revoke the firm's operating licence is not right.
However, the operator licence for Scorpion Engineering is due to cease on January 24, unless Mr Hannon's appeal is successful.
Share