THE licence held by Tansey's Coaches Ltd will be revoked – and its transport manager has been disqualified indefinitely from acting in the role.

Following a public inquiry in Golborne, which concluded on August 11, Simon Evans, the Traffic Commissioner for the north west of England, has issued his decision.

Mr Evans recorded that the 'repute' of the operator, as well as its transport manager David Bennett, 'has been lost'.

He directed that the licence of Tansey's Coaches Ltd be revoked with effect from 11.59pm today, Friday.

In his decision, Mr Evans said the operator 'is no longer of professional competence'.

He added: "I have determined as an act of mercy, which takes into account the difficult personal circumstances which he suffered, not to exercise my powers to disqualify David Bennett from holding an operator's licence as either a sole trader, partner or director.

"I would stress that such a step should not be taken as signalling that David Bennett would immediately be fit and suitable to hold an operator's licence.

"While of course there is nothing intrinsically problematic about the operation of an ageing fleet of passenger carrying vehicles, the challenge for any operator in such a market is to ensure that systems and processes and all staff work in unison to ensure the vehicle fleet is at all times fit for the safe carriage of passengers.

"Such an exercise will be likely to need greater levels of organisation, and much more expertise, care and attention to achieve it.

"As is required however, I order that David Bennett be disqualified indefinitely from acting as a transport manager.

"I cannot immediately identify suitable specific measures with which it would be necessary for him to comply before such disqualification order might be varied or set aside."

The inquiry heard that Tansey's, which had its operating centre at Melford Court in Woolston, had five vehicles in possession, although 'it was acknowledged that none of them were specified on the licence'.

The inquiry heard the 'intention' was to operate four vehicles, with a fifth vehicle as a spare, 'to continue to carry out the programme of trips and excursions, local authority school work and private hire business'.