GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

[DLG817]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
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GHA in Administration - a further update

A second batch of vehicles left Ruabon today returning to finance companies. There appears to be some 80 vehicles where the finance companies are seeking to reclaim their property. All of these vehicles would have been subjected to a finance agreement were the ownership of the vehicles was with the finance company. Some of these were simple hire purchase agreements or chattel mortgages. Interestingly a number of these were at least a second finance of the vehicle during their lifetime

Leaving today included the following :-
Profiles FJ06BNX/Y, Darts CN04NLL/P, Presidents W469BCW, W471WGH, Solos DK09ENW, YJ06YRL and Centro CA07GHA.

Further vehicles will be leaving for finance companies in the very near future. It remains to be seen how these vehicles are eventually disposed of.

Also leaving soon will be the three Volvo B10BLE's / Wright Renowns ex Go North East. which arrived in April. As these were never paid for they are being returned to Ensign in Purfleet where they originated – R842PRG, R847PRG and V531GDS

Initially the Administrators were not too clear on how the remainder of fleet would be disposed of. They have decided to engage a specialist agent to sell the vehicles on their behalf and tenders for this work were invited from selected contractors. The successful firm was the Landwood Group, in Manchester. An inventory of the vehicles to be sold has begun and a decision has been taken that the initial sale is to involve school buses and coaches. It is believed this sale will take place on or about the 23rd August and will be an on-line sale with the catalogues of vehicles being made available on 8th August. Pre sale viewing at Ruabon will be arranged. Further sales would take place in September involving other coaches, mini-buses, panel vans & work shop equipment. Details of the sale and the catalogue when available can be found at WEBSITE LINK

Route issues (Post GHA)

Lloyds of Machynlleth, who are operating the T3 Barmouth service have acquired a fleet of new Enviro 200's (believed to be four). Three of these were seen today working the T3. YY16UJT, YY16UJU and YY16UJV. Also working the service was Trident E40D LC62WYN with X28 livery. Lloyds are laying over the vehicles as they arrive at Wrexham until the next service. This will aid timekeeping as the departing vehicles does not have to depend on the incoming vehicle. Most of the drivers on this service are ex GHA staff. The former Crosville / Arriva depot in Dolgellau is now registered by Lloyds as an Operating Centre for 10 vehicles. They are also using Pats Coaches as a local base.

The lack of services in the Wrexham area is gaining wide publicity. The Wrexham Council issued a press release yesterday to indicate that they are about to consider tenders for some of the services (6 and 17 Wrexham to Ruabon and Wrexham to Moss, 64 Llangollen - Llanarmon DC, 45F The Maelor Flexibus, 146 Wrexham – Whitchurch, 34 Wrexham – Trevalyn, 47F West Wrexham Flexibus, 42F Erbistock Flexibus). Apparently the Council remain hopeful that new or replacement services will be able to start before the end of August. Not a situation that the residents of certain areas will be very happy about I am sure.

Ron