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Licence cut back pending a maintenance investigation

11th November 2004
Page 28
Page 28, 11th November 2004 — Licence cut back pending a maintenance investigation
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A CHESHIRE operator which was appearing at its sixth public inquiry since 1997 has had its licence cut from seven to four vehicles until a satisfactory maintenance investigation has been carried out.

Littlers, of Backford, Chester, had been called before North Western Deputy Traffic Commissioner Patrick Mulvenna at a Leeds disciplinary inquiry. As a result the DTC ordered a maintenance investigation to take place as soon as possible.

Vehicle examiner Roger Byrom said the company had appeared before the IC on five previous occasions since 1997, with the licence being curtailed from nine vehicles to seven on the last occasion.

He had carried out a maintenance investigation in March as follow-up to a warning letter sent in response to an unsatisfactory maintenance investigation in August 2003. He examined two vehicles and issued two delayed prohibitions for low braking efficiency and brake imbalance.

He felt that MD Ronald Littler was trying hard to put things right.There were systems in place, but one of the problems was that the company had been operating older vehicles.

He remarked that the drivers were not helping as they were jumping in the vehicles and driving straight out without carrying out any checks. Littler said the company now operated three vehicles, one of which was brand new.

He had run two other businesses which ran into financial problems. As a result they had been unable to tax the vehicles and since then the authorities had kept a careful eye on them.The other two businesses had been disposed of; one in February 2002 and the other last year. Maintenance was now being carried out by main agents and roller brake tests were being carried out.

The DTC said that if there was evidence in future of drivers not properly carrying out vehicle checks consideration would be given to calling those individuals to public inquiry.


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