A car garage owner in Middlesbrough has been fined for blocking off a local street while repairing vehicles outside his premises.
Paul Jeffries, 44, was fined £1,000 for each of eight offences of repairing cars on the street alongside a further £5,000 for failing to provide proof of waste disposal arrangements, Gazette Live reported. The owner of Get Smart Autos premises in Greta Street was caught on CCTV causing serious traffic congestion by blocking the pavement and road while repairing customers’ cars on the road outside the garage.
For a mechanic that is performing vehicle repairs on the move, a road risks insurance policy should adequately cover them to drive customers’ cars. However, if operating out of business premises, then a mechanic will need to consider a combined motor trade insurance policy. This will provide cover for the building and assets located on site – including equipment and vehicles – even if you then choose to perform the repair work on the street outside; although this story illustrates that there are circumstances where this is not advisable.
Mr Jeffries, although not present in court, pleaded guilty to eight charges of repairing vehicles in the street. On top of the aforementioned fines, Mr Jeffries was ordered to pay the council’s costs of £1,915.83 and a victim surcharge of £120, making a total of £15,035.83.
