Lugg Valley Travel

[Henffordd]

From the BBC website:

A Herefordshire coach company that was described as having been subject to "the worst fleet inspection", has had its licence revoked after a public inquiry was held.

Miles Dorrington, Traffic Commissioner for the West Midlands, has imposed four-year disqualifications on the firm and its sole director, Nigel Yeomans, after he said he had never seen a worse fleet.

During the inquiry it was revealed the Hereford firm, which has been approached for comment, had a history of maintenance failures that posed "serious safety risks" to passengers...

...All six of the firm's vehicles, which were inspected on 9 January 2025, received prohibition notices...

This firm is part of a Yeomans group which has provided a large part of the bus service to Herefordshire, including a lot of schools contracts. They withdrew from a number of the Hereford town services recently, saying they were not profitable.

Those services are now covered by Sargeants, a company about which there are a few unflattering remarks in the Powys bus changes thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/powys-bus-changes.290472/ . Looks as though Sargeants have now taken over the rest of these.

 

[richard13]

https://www.gov.uk/traffic-commissi...decision-for-lugg-valley-travel-ltd-pd0001646

Nigel Yeomans, sole director, is banned from holding an operators license anywhere from 31/12/2025 to 30/12/3029.

Ian Davies, transport manager, is disqualified for the same period.

What comes next for all their services?

 

[nick291]

https://www.gov.uk/traffic-commissi...decision-for-lugg-valley-travel-ltd-pd0001646

Nigel Yeomans, sole director, is banned from holding an operators license anywhere from 31/12/2025 to 30/12/3029.

Ian Davies, transport manager, is disqualified for the same period.

What comes next for all their services?

Aren't they also an National Express contractor under the Yeomans brand? Who will cover these?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Aren't they also an National Express contractor under the Yeomans brand? Who will cover these?

Different operators license BUT will need new directors/TM

 

[MotCO]

Nigel Yeomans, sole director, is banned from holding an operators license anywhere from 31/12/2025 to 30/12/3029.

Until 3029 - that's quite a long prohibition!

 

[Wawanesa]

No doubt the real problem is the advanced age of the sole director with no sign of a younger generation to take over, a situation which is sadly all too common in many industries.

 

[JKP]

Until 3029 - that's quite a long prohibition!

It’s 2029!

 

[stevieinselby]

Different operators license BUT will need new directors/TM

This seems to be a bit of a loophole. Lugg Valley and Yeomans are clearly joined at the hip, and looking from the outside it would appear that they are one company that uses two different brand names ... so if Lugg Valley are so dangerous that they need to be stripped of their right to operate any services, what does that say about Yeomans?

Just how separate are they, and how much confidence should we have that their maintenance regime and standards are better?

 

[andyb87]

This seems to be a bit of a loophole. Lugg Valley and Yeomans are clearly joined at the hip, and looking from the outside it would appear that they are one company that uses two different brand names ... so if Lugg Valley are so dangerous that they need to be stripped of their right to operate any services, what does that say about Yeomans? Just how separate are they, and how much confidence should we have that their maintenance regime and standards are better?

I do not know these companies well, but recall they have been around for many years. A quick visit to Companies House records implies that Nigel Yeomans is the sole director of Yeomans Canyon Travel also. In view of the disqualification imposed by the Commissioner it looks as if that operator too is also left with no director in the short term at least.
There is another family member described as Secretary, but not a director. It seems that Lugg Valley, at best had six vehicles and I would imagine that Ian Davies was also involved with Yeomans in some way. May he have been Transport Manager there too?
The Traffic Commissioner in his decision strives to keep Lugg Valley and Yeomans Canyon Transport apart though acknowledges there were relevant connections and I wonder if he expects there will be knock on consequences, but does not need to involve himself in them at this time. It will be interesting to follow developments.

 

[Titfield]

I do not know these companies well, but recall they have been around for many years. A quick visit to Companies House records implies that Nigel Yeomans is the sole director of Yeomans Canyon Travel also. In view of the disqualification imposed by the Commissioner it looks as if that operator too is also left with no director in the short term at least. There is another family member described as Secretary, but not a director. It seems that Lugg Valley, at best had six vehicles and I would imagine that Ian Davies was also involved with Yeomans in some way. May he have been Transport Manager there too? The TC in his decision strives to keep LV and YCT apart though acknowledges there were relevant connections and I wonder if he expects there will be knock on consequences, but does not need to involve himself in them at this time. It will be interesting to follow developments.

The two companies are separate entities in the eyes of the law, and the TC must treat them as such.

However, self-evidently concerns are now raised, and he can write to YCT and ask for proof that they continue to meet the requirements of their O licence, especially as regards the (good repute of) Directors of the Company and the Transport Manager.

The TC may decide to call YCT to a Public Inquiry so that these issues can be clarified. He may decide that these matters can be resolved with an in chambers meeting or by a submission of relevant information / declaration.

 

[Smethwickian]

Aren't they also an National Express contractor under the Yeomans brand? Who will cover these?

Yeoman's were suspended from NX network Friday morning, with Yeoman's only operating the first two outbound trips (0520 and 0855 ex-Hereford to London). Services have been covered since by hires from Applegate's, Royal Motorways, Amans and Edwards.

For tomorrow, Edwards Bristol covers the 445 plus the one 444 return trip (1200 ex-London and 1605 ex-Gloucester) previously allocated to Yeoman's.


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Dec 2025 ==

Bennetts covered all of the ex-Yeomans National Express services 444 and 445 today (Tuesday).

 

[nick291]

Yeoman's were suspended from NX network Friday morning, with Yeoman's only operating the first two outbound trips (0520 and 0855 ex-Hereford to London). Services have been covered since by hires from Applegate's, Royal Motorways, Amans and Edwards.
For tomorrow Edwards Bristol covers the 445 plus the one 444 return trip (1200 ex-London and 1605 ex-Gloucester) previously allocated to Yeoman's.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Dec 2025 ==

Bennetts covered all of the ex-Yeomans National Express services 444 and 445 today (Tuesday).

Saw a photo on Flickr of the Edwards cover on the 445. Interesting they're using older levantes they've retained. If Yeomans/Lugg retain theirs they'll probably be put on schools!

 

[richard13]

It appears from company house data that Nigel Yeomans resigned his directorships as of Wed 17 Dec 25. From the same date, Francesca Yeomans (daughter?) has been appointed directorships to match.

 

[DaveLondon]

Yeoman's were suspended from NX network Friday morning, with Yeoman's only operating the first two outbound trips (0520 and 0855 ex-Hereford to London). Services have been covered since by hires from Applegate's, Royal Motorways, Amans and Edwards.
For tomorrow Edwards Bristol covers the 445 plus the one 444 return trip (1200 ex-London and 1605 ex-Gloucester) previously allocated to Yeoman's.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Dec 2025 ==

Bennetts covered all of the ex-Yeomans National Express services 444 and 445 today (Tuesday).

It has been planned for a time that Bennetts take over the Yeoman routes - I think they have just started earlier than planned.

 

[Titfield]

It appears from company house data that Nigel Yeomans resigned his directorships as of Wed 17 Dec 25. From the same date, Francesca Yeomans (daughter?) has been appointed directorships to match.

I trust they have notified the Office of the Traffic Commissioner. Resigning a directorship does not mean an avoidance of regulatory action being taken.

 

[andyb87]

I trust they have notified the Office of the Traffic Commissioner. Resigning a directorship does not mean an avoidance of regulatory action being taken.

I believe it is also the case that it must be demonstrable that the (prohibited) former director will not exert influence over their replacement, which might be a challenge if they share a family link.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I believe it is also the case that it must be demonstrable that the (prohibited) former director will not exert influence over their replacement, which might be a challenge if they share a family link.

That would never happen….. see Clayton and Alison Jones

 

[Wawanesa]

The records of His Majesty's Registrar General confirm that Francesca Elizabeth N. Yeomans is indeed the daughter of Nigel David Yeomans and Susan Mary Theresa Yeomans.

 

[Titfield]

That would never happen….. see Clayton and Alison Jones

The late Clayton Jones.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Dec 2025 ==

I believe it is also the case that it must be demonstrable that the (prohibited) former director will not exert influence over their replacement, which might be a challenge if they share a family link.

If the TC has reason to believe this may be the case he will probably call a P I.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The late Clayton Jones.

Yes, the often late Clayton Jones did leave us this year! He was disqualified as a director and his wife took over instead, totally independently (!), until she independently resigned at the end of his disqualification.

 

[Titfield]

Yes, the often late Clayton Jones did leave us this year! He was disqualified as a director and his wife took over instead, totally independently (!), until she independently resigned at the end of his disqualification.

Indeed. I have often wondered what motivated Clayton to operate in the way he did. Perhaps one of the last characters in the bus industry.