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Operation Spring took place at Cwmavon Road, Cwmavon, Port Talbot and led to 18 vehicles being stopped with two drivers being escorted to the nearest garage for repairs after roadworthiness checks.

Partner organisations included Neath Port Talbot Council Trading Standards, Neath Port Talbot Council Waste Enforcement, Neath Port Talbot Council Licensing, South Wales Police, The Driver and Vehicle Standards Authority, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and Natural Resources Wales.

Waste Enforcement Team officers conducted checks on vehicles carrying waste to see if the operators were licensed to do so. They also established locations to which waste was being carried. Advice was also given to operators who were not carrying waste at the time of the  checks.

Householders are advised they should always ensure they use reputable tradespeople who are licenced waste carriers as they may find themselves liable should any waste from their property subsequently be found fly-tipped.

Trading standards representatives spoke to drivers for various companies regarding consumer contracts and consumer rights. All traders stopped were issued with ‘on the spot’ advice and provided with a guidance pack containing information on how to comply with the regulations.

Regarding Consumer Protection issues for work carried out by a tradesperson at a house that is more than £42 in value, traders are required by law to provide cancellation rights. This gives customers fourteen days for contracts to be cancelled - so please do not be pressurised into paying for work in your own home.

DVSA staff checked vehicles were roadworthy and weighed them to ensure they were not overloaded and compliant with the Road Traffic Act 1988 and The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.

HMRC staff checked vehicles for any illicit fuel (or red diesel) - this is cheaper than ordinary diesel due to lower fuel tax duty with red diesel use restricted to purposes such as agriculture, fish farming, horticulture and forestry.

Cllr Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing said: “Our main aim was to protect the public and legitimate businesses from rogue traders.

“We would like to thank all the partner groups involved in this multi-agency operation. Focused operations such as these act as a deterrent as they help ensure those who flout the law know they can be caught.”