Drivers employed by a Cramlington haulage firm have been warned they will face serious action against their professional licences if they fail to secure loads effectively.

Kevin Rooney, the traffic commissioner for the north east of England, said it was unacceptable that drivers employed by Dedicated Transport Solutions had persistently failed to secure loads.

The company appeared before the industry regulator after DVSA examiners issued four load security prohibition notices in a two-year period.

“It is unfortunate that an otherwise good and compliant operator is being let down by the driving team,” said Rooney.

“I have decided today that should I be made aware of any further load security issues with this operator I will call the driver to a driver conduct hearing where the vocational driving licence will face suspension or revocation.”

As a result of the load security issues, Rooney curtailed the company’s licence from 34 to 27 vehicles for three months.

He warned director, John Joisce, that any further reports of non compliance could lead to more severe regulatory action.

The traffic commissioner acknowledged that the business was making efforts gto deal with the persisting issues over insecure loads but said Joisce and transport manager Sean McAndrew had to take action immediately to address them.

He also reminded other operators about the DVSA’s campaign on this issue.

Rooney added: “For sake of clarity, DVSA have not changed the rules on load security but there has been an enforcement campaign to check and improve it following serious road safety issues.”

No formal action was taken against the transport manager.

The public inquiry was held on 19 May 2016.