Less licence for 'Mon
Page 16
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• Consistent problems over loose wheelnuts and defective tyres have led to loton Plant Hire of Bulwell, Notts having its licence cut from 10 vehicles and two trailers to eight vehicles and two trailers.
Eastern Licensing Authority Brigadier Compton Boyd has also reduced the duration of the licence so that it now runs out at the end of January next year, instead of 1994.
Compton Boyd said that Toton had been sent a warning in April 1989 after an immediate prohibition had been issued. Since then another of the company's vehicles had attracted a prohibition.
Vehicle examiner Paul Orange said that he had inspected three vehicles in January 1989 and had issued one immediate and one delayed prohibition. In May 1990 he issued a defect notice on a tractive unit and an immediate prohibition on a trailer. The company's inspection records appeared to be "tick" exercises, he said.
Director Robert Frayne denied that the company gave priority to maintaining plant over the servicing of vehicles. He said that after the examiner's visit in May inspection was tightened and drivers were instructed to check various items before leaving the depot.
Frayne said the company had to reprimand fitters for poor workmanship; and drivers for disobeying an instruction to check wheelnuts and tyres.
Boyd said that he was not concerned with the company's problems. He wanted to know what would protect the public from a wheel coming off on the motorway — he was concerned when a company picked up prohibitions after a warning letter had been sent.
But he was sufficiently satisfied with an arrangement with a tyre contractor, not to revoke the licence.
He warned that if the company appeared before him again his hands would he "tied behind his back".