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Haulier under investigation

13th October 2005
Page 10
Page 10, 13th October 2005 — Haulier under investigation
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Keywords : Tachograph

A public inquiry is told that 23 missed inspections did not indicate a

problem with maintenance. Mike Jewell reports.

A PUBLIC INQUIRY has been told that a heavily pregnant traffic examiner was unable to complete her interview with a Liverpool haulier as he became "agitated and confrontational".

The inquiry, before North Western TC Beverley Bell, was called to consider action against the licence of Crown Cold Stores & Distribution and a number of its drivers because of alleged tacho and hours breaches and maintenance problems.

The hearing had previously been adjourned after five of the drivers said they wanted to take legal advice (CM 11 August).

Proprietor Wallace Thorburn said tachograph charts were sent for outside analysis and if something stood out on the analysis sheets it was brought to his attention. Bad drivers were shown the door, Appearing for the firm James Backhouse attempted to persuade the TC there were no serious maintenance issues at Crown Cold Stores, although the company missed its six-weekly inspection period 23 times. Backhouse said there had not been a "ream of prohibitions over the years".

However. Bell said she felt that maintenance was a serious issue. The TC pointed out that there had been five prohibition notices, one of them S-marked for a serious maintenance failure, and two variation notices, and that the licence had been granted on the basis of sixweekly inspections.

Asked why the company had not been interviewed about the drivers' hours and tachograph matters, Joanne Henharen said Thornburn had become very agitated and confrontational. He was very argumentative and she had felt she would be unable to carry out an interview with him. She had not been prepared to interview him because of his manner.

Thomburn denied this and said he had made her and the vehicle examiner welcome. He had not been abusive and he had been open and frank with them, he claimed.

Bell deferred consideration of action against the licence until November. She required an urgent maintenance investigation by VOSA and directed that transport consultant Grahame Robinson be present when Thornburn is interviewed by Henharen , as she did not wish her to interview him alone.

• Crown Cold Stores & Distribution took over the work of Crown Cold Stores, trading as Thorburn International Transpori, when that company collapsed in September 2002 (CM 19 September 2002).


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