LA PRAISES FIRM'S MAINTENANCE

12th May 1967, Page 78

12th May 1967

Page 78

Page 78, 12th May 1967 — LA PRAISES FIRM'S MAINTENANCE

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"IN this case I am completely satisfied",

said Yorkshire LA Mr. H. E. Robson, in Leeds last week when he had granted an application by Bells Transport Services of Bradford for a B licence continuation under Section 174. There was no question that the company's fleet had a very high standard of maintenance, added Mr. Robson.

Bells' 35-vehicle fleet had received five GV9s in the last 21 years, said Mr. P. Kenny on behalf of the company, two of which had been the result of non-blameworthy accidents. Bells was now standardizing its 25 A-licensed vehicles and Albion Super Reivers had replaced all but one of its long-distance lorries, resulting in a replacement bill of £86,000 since 1960. Spares and replacement parts had cost £30,000, repairs and inspections being carried out by Bells' nine-man maintenance department.

Mr. J. Bell, the proprietor, told the LA that since Bells' vehicles travelled all over Great Britain one vehicle could go through three checks on one journey. He felt that any prohibitions should be judged in conjunction with the number of "clean bills of health" that a fleet had also received.

At the same hearing, one of two vehicles operated under B licence by Hardwick and Jones of Carlton, lir. Barnsley, was suspended for one month by Mr. Robson.

This vehicle was still operating under the original B licence granted to the partnership and it was a disciplinary measure because their second vehicle, running under a short-term B licence, had been issued with an immediate prohibition for 21 defects. This vehicle was still under repair.

"You have not taken any effective steps either before or after the vehicle was taken off the road to ensure that this (maintenance) responsibility of yours is fulfilled," the LA told Mr. T. Hardwick.