Medex Distribution fleet cut by two
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• Continuing maintenance problems have led to two vehicles being removed from the licence held by Bolton-based Medex Distribution, reducing its authorisation to 13 vehicles and 14 trailers.
The company appeared before North Western Licensing Authority Martin Albu, who pointed out it had been before him in March because of questions over its maintenance record and finance. He had eventually been satisfied there was sufficient finance and that steps had been taken to put the maintenance in order. However, a further six prohibition notices had been issued since March.
Vehicle examiner Cohn Waddilove said brake defects were a major cause for concern. Most of the defects found on the braking systems either rendered the brakes dangerous or could have done so in the near future. In some cases the defects should have been picked up on the last inspection. Two prohibitions issued in April and June were for random component failure. On 9 June a prohibition was issued for loose wheel nuts. The wheel had been changed some weeks earlier and it could have been that the wheel nuts were never checked and tightened up again. A lot of the defects occuned on elderly vehicles, he said.
Managing director Stanley Bibby said that after the March hearing the inspection period was reduced from four weeks to two. He had not been aware of any brake problems until the vehicle examiner's visit in June. The company had its own rolling road brake tester and the mechanics now knew when they should carry out adjustments.
After the LA had expressed concern about whether the driver defect reporting system was working effectively, Bibby said the drivers were aware of the present proceedings and they knew the importance of reporting.
Albu said he did not expect a fleet of such a size to have that number of prohibitions. He was concerned about whether the company was taking sufficient action to anticipate component failure. If vehicles were attracting prohibitions, the company needed to look at its maintenance system.
Medex had been warned previously and the action it had taken had not been entirely adequate.