Two Months' Pause in Walsh Inquiry
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FOLLOWING evidence that maintenance facilities had been substantially improved, the North Western deputy Licensing Authority, Mr. A. H. Jolliffe, last Friday adjourned a case at Manchester in which he had called Walsh Transport (Bolton) Ltd. before him to show cause why certain of their B and Contract A licences should not be revoked, suspended or curtailed under Section 178 of the Road Traffic Act 1960.
A part-heard application to transfer 13 vehicles of 84f tons from Contract A to
B licence was also due to be continued (The Commercial Motor, August 9). Mr. J. Coffey, for Walsh Transport, said it was unusual for revocation to be considered in the middle of an application, and he asked to withdraw the contract switch because he felt it would not be proper to continue with it. There had been grounds for criticism regarding the operation of the business but the company had suffered from unqualified staff and inadequate premises. However, the whole business had been reorganized, new staff had been engaged and there was a proper maintenance system. In the past, 11 prohibition notices had been issued for various vehicles, and already five of these units had been passed as roadworthy, but there was still more work to be. done. Mr. Coffey said that if a penalty were issued now Walsh Transport would find themselves in financial difficulties, and he asked that the hearing should be adjourned for six months. Mr. J. Backhouse, objecting for several independent road operators, observed that Walsh had had contract licences, but because they were a firm who arranged for the carriage of goods they should not have done this. Two of the objectors had acted as sub-contractors for Walsh and had not been paid for work performed, he said. Managing director, Mr. F. Walsh, stated that he had now employed reliable maintenance staff and vehicles were to be overhauled and serviced regularly. He had also bought new tools, equipment and spare parts. Consulting automobile engineer, Mr. J. Cosgrove, said that he had been approached by Walsh Transport to inspect the business and he thought the mechanical staff seemed efficient and there were adequate tools and maintenance equipment. But he thought it might be three months before the whole fleet was in good shape. Mr. Jolliffe said that he was reluctant to agree to an adjournment, but, in the circumstances, agreed to wait for two months before the hearing was continued.