Faults blamed on beef crisis
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• The beef crisis was blamed by a West Yorkshire farmer and haulier who failed to honour promises about maintenance.
Traffic Commissioner Keith Waterworth (pictured) revoked the licence for six vehicles and 1 3 trailers held by Cramscene of Tingley, Wakefield but did grant a fresh licence for three vehicles and five trailers. It was the company's fourth appearance at public inquiry since November 1991.
Vehicle examiner Richard Roberts said that he had issued one delayed and three immediate prohibitions after inspect ing 12 vehicles and trailers. The transport manager had admitted being aware that the driver defect reporting system was not being operated, said Roberts. He added that despite a wallchart, inspection periods had been extended to between eight weeks and five months.
"The wallchart was a pretty picture on the wall rather than a management tool," commented Waterworth, adding that a maintenance investigation into the firm was to be undertaken.
Roger Haigh, managing director, agreed that at a previous disciplinary inquiry in February 1995, when the licence dura tion was cut because of maintenance problems, various promises had been
given. He admitted those promises had not been kept due to his failure to supervise properly what had been going on. He said he was chairman of the West Riding NFU and a lot of his time had been taken up by the beef crisis.