Dawson disciplined over maintenance
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MI Middlesbroughbased AV Dawson was told to tighten up its maintenance when it appeared at disciplinary proceedings before North Eastern Deputy LA John Hampton, Vehicle examiner Alan Harrod said seven immediate and four delayed prohibitions had been issued over the past five years, six of which involved brake defects.
During a maintenance investigation in March he had examined three vehicles and six trailers, issuing one defect notice. The maintenance records were not being completed properly—there were gaps between inspections of up to 14 weeks for vehicles and up to nine months for trailers. In 1993/94 the initial pass rate at annual test was 25%.
Harrod agreed that no prohibitions had been issued since March. He also agreed that the annual test pass rate figures were based on a sample of vehicles, excluding trailers. Hird said Dawson's records showed vehicles had a 52% initial pass rate and trailers achieved a 92% pass Managing director Maurice Dawson said the policy had been to diversify away from haulage: only eight vehicles and 63 trailers were currently being operated. When the fleet was reduced the company let out the workshops and contracted out the maintenance. That did not work out and when it took over its own workshops again there was a difficulty in getting good fitters. He felt that the maintenance system was now basically sound.
Hampton said maintenance arrangements were improving. However, a further appearance at public inquiry could lead to action against the licence.