I wouldn't be too quick to blame ATC. It surprises me when looking on the UK AAIB website how often there are comings together investigated between aeroplanes and baggage trucks, airstairs, catering trucks etc. When these guys are on the apron ATC don't direct them
At Heathrow it seems to be one a month - presumeably as they have more aeroplanes and ground vehicles than anybody else. So this is really a common (although unfortunate, very expensive and probably eminently avoidable) occurence.
