Haulage firm loses licence after speed limiter defects found

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 08:03 · Archive

Horticultural Distribution Ltd has lost its operating licence after roadside inspections near Carlisle uncovered serious vehicle defects. The company, based near Glasgow, had its licence for five vehicles and 10 trailers revoked by Traffic Commissioner Richard Turfitt, who concluded it must be 'removed from the industry'.

The first inspection at Todhills, near the M6, occurred on 5 April 2025 when a lorry driven by Michael James Adam was stopped by a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency examiner. Its speed limiter was not restricting the vehicle to its legal maximum speed, and a dashboard warning light indicated a fault relating to high emissions. Investigators found the vehicle's tachograph had recorded 90 overspeed warnings in the preceding 28 days, with Mr Adam driving on 76 of those occasions. Mr Adam also had an expired Driver Certificate of Professional Competence card and received a £200 fixed penalty.

A DVSA examiner suggested the speed limiter had been deliberately altered through collusion between the driver and a mechanic. However, Mr Turfitt said he had found 'no evidence in the bundle before me of any collusion', though he considered the occasions when the vehicle exceeded its limited speed should have been obvious to the driver. A second lorry received a prohibition notice at Todhills on 27 August 2025 because of braking system defects, and another vehicle had been prohibited at Cuerden Weighbridge earlier that month because of an insecure load.

How it is being reported

• Haulage firm loses licence after HGV checks reveal 90 overspeed warningsA haulage firm has lost its operating licence after HGV checks at Todhills near Carlisle revealed vehicle defects and 90 overspeed warnings in 28 days.NW Evening Mail · 14 Oct, 07:47
• Haulage firm loses licence after HGV checks reveal 90 overspeed warningsA haulage firm has lost its operating licence after HGV checks at Todhills near Carlisle revealed vehicle defects and 90 overspeed warnings in 28 days.Cumberland News · 14 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Horticultural Distribution Ltd · Richard Turfitt · Michael James Adam · Carlisle · Glasgow

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem