Maintenance inspection in six months
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• In Sheffield last week the Yorkshire deputy LA, Mr M. Gosnay, decided not to exercise his power under Section 69 of the Transport Act 1968 by revoking, curtailing or suspending an operator's licence held by the North Midland Demolition and Dismantling Co Ltd, of Sheffield, after he had heard that the company had taken steps to bring its vehicle preventive maintenance arrangements up to the standard required by the Act. However, to ensure that the company continued to operate an effective maintenance system, Mr Gosnay indicated that an inspection of the company's premises and vehicles would be made in six months' time.
Earlier, Mr S. Hamilton, a DoE vehicle examiner, had told the deputy LA that a fleet inspection held on October 1 last year had resulted in one vehicle being issued with an immediate and one with a delayed GV9. Four vehicles were examined in all, the condition of which, Mr Hamilton felt, was not consistent with the vehicles which were maintained on a regular basrs.
Asked by Mr Gosnay what facilities were available to the company, Mr Hamilton said that at the time of the inspection there was no workshop or covered accommodation although a workshop and maintenance pit were being built.
Giving evidence, Mr E. Rawson, director of tie firm, explained what methods the firm had introduced to improve vehicle maintenance.
New staff had been engaged so that two fitters were available to carry out maintenance work. The fitters worked seven days a week and would carry out maintenance when the vehicles were not in use, which was on two days a week.
The new workshop was nearly ready and a new system of recording defects and maintenance work had been inaugurated. Mr Rawson added: "I am satisfied that our maintenance arrangements now bring us within the standard required by the Licensing Authority."
On making his decision not to take any action against the company, Mr Gosnay said that he agreed the maintenance arrangements were now satisfactory but warned the company that they must "keep up the good work".