South Wales LA prescribes for Beechams
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• The Beecham Group, holder of operators' licences for more than 2000 vehicles in 11 traffic areas, appeared before the South Wales LA under Section 69 after 22 prohibition notices had been issued on vehicles maintained at two depots in Forth and Cardiff. The GV9s had been imposed E after a fleet inspection in January and February of this year.
Appearing for the company, Mr. G. Jones said that research by the company showed that this was the first occasion ever that the company had been called to disciplinary action.
He said that in the South Wales traffic area the company held operators' licences for 164 vehicles and 22 trailers and last week was actually using 150 vehicles and 17 trailers, mainly for three outlets: house to house delivery of soft drinks, retail rounds to various establishments and larger tractive Units for trunking.
The maintenance facilities were mainly at Porth and Cardiff and although the company was short of one skilled fitter at Cardiff much of its work was being done by outside garages. No body or paint work was done at Cardiff; this all went to Porth.
At Porth where 71 of the vehicles are maintained there was a full complement of staff including six fitters as well as staff in the body and paint workshop.
Of the GV9s issued, Mr Jones said the main problem seemed to be with the smaller Cardiff depot which had attracted 12 of the notices.
"This must stem from managerial level in South Wales," 'he said. The regional transport manager had retired in December and the charge hand was ill from November 1972 to February 1973. "This meant a slight lowering in the level of enthusiasm and there was a reluctance to advise the group hq in London of the problems at the South Wales depot which was attributable to staff shortage and sickness."
Mr Jones said that 780 working hours were lost in December and two out of four fitters left within seven days. There were also 553 hours lost in January.
The group transport manager, Mr John Langdon, said that towards the end of 1972 an unhappy situation arose in South Wales. "Had this been reported it would have been dealt with," he said.
"By March 1973 the position had recovered particularly after the appointment of a regional traffic manager. I would also like to say that in the other 10 traffic areas there has been no cause for complaint."
But the South Wales LA, Mr Ronald R. Jackson, said that while he appreciated the circumstances he would be failing in his duty if the matter was not dealt with.
"It seems there was a breakdown in communications prior to those dates attributable to retirement of senior staff and sickness. I suggest part of the breakdown was their apparent reluctance to be over-zealous in the twilight of their careers.
"I have, however, decided to be lenient in my decision in that I will curtail the remaining margin of 14 vehicles and suspend a further– three vehicles for three months from the 1st July."