Don’t tar us all with the same brush.

That’s the response of haulier firm boss John Quaye after the outgoing chairman of the Road Transport Licensing Committee claimed that half of all HGVs are unfit for the road.

In his foreword to the RTLC’s latest annual report Keith Watterson said: ’I believe that up to 50 per cent of HGVs are not roadworthy at any one time despite having an annual MoT style test. Some operators do very few, if any, safety checks for the rest of the year.’

But Mr Quaye, chairman of Manx Independent Carriers, queried what evidence Mr Watterson relied on to make that claim. He said: ’I take issue with the comments of the outgoing chairman who appears to be tarring all HGV operators with the same brush.

’The comments are his "belief" and whilst it could be true he has not backed up his belief with any substantiated facts which I am sure are available from the vehicle testing station.’

Mr Quaye pointed out that the annual test is simply a snapshot of the condition of the vehicle on the appointed day.

He added: ’The only way to give certainty of condition is for an operators’ licencing regime to be introduced which will demand regular inspection, maintenance and record keeping along with penalties for non-compliance.

’This has been mooted by various Transport Ministers over the last 15 years but for one reason or another nothing has happened. This is the fault of central government and not the operators most of whom are willing to partake in such a scheme.’

Mr Quaye said that last year, his company’s vehicles all passed on first inspection and this year there was one failure which was expected and repaired immediately.

The average age of the fleet is 4.5 years. Eight new vehicles were bought in 2016 along with six new trailers and in 2015 13 new vehicles were added to the fleet.

’We may be the exception to the rule as I don’t believe that other operators invest so heavily in their vehicle fleets,’ said Mr Quaye. ’Our inspection regime is rigid, our vehicles are inspected six times each year and any faults found are repaired before the vehicle is permitted to be returned too everyday use.’