LA gives 'sternest possible warning' on probationary licence
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• Since being given a probationary licence in October 1970 — before this the operator had a history of 17 immediate and 32 delayed GV9s -Lincolnshire partnership P. R. Burns and C. H. Jackson trading as P. Burns of Stallinborough, Lines, had received a further 24 prohibitions, six immediate, 18 delayed, within a 12 month period.
The firm was called before the East Midland LA, Mr C. M. Sheridan, at Lincoln m Tuesday, under Section 69.
A vehicle examiner, Mr W. A. Banks, giving evidence of visits to the premises said hat little had changed since a call he had nade in January 1970 and another in ■ lovember 1971. The premises were very nadequately planned, lighting was poor, teating and washing facilities for staff were ion-existent. Manoeuvring vehicles in the iremises was extremely difficult and in the :ase of one vehicle he found a space of only ;in, clearance between it and the wall on ach side when maintenance work was leing carried out. Vehicle washing, a iecessity in view of the nature of the load arried, was important but there was no iater supply for this purpose. The premises were littered with scrap and he considered that the two fitters employed were quite unable to do an effective job under the conditions.
Mr Banks was particularly concerned with the brake defects he had found on vehicles and considered that the history of • prohibitions confirmed the overall situation. Continuing. Mr Banks said that he understood the son of one of the partners, Mr Malcolm Burns, had joined the business and had been appointed transport manager on December 1 with a view to taking over all maintenance and inspection matters and that he hoped to see future improvements resulting from this.
For the partnership, Mr Jackson agreed with the vehicle examiner that on one occasion a fitter had been seen to use an unguarded neon light to carry out maintenance and agreed that this was dangerous. This he had stopped. But, he said, improvements had been made, benches had been built as requested by Mr Banks, walls had been whitewashed, a , steam cleaner had been purchased. "Would you agree," he asked, "that we have done everything to meet your requirements?" There was the evidence of the continuing GV9s, replied the examiner, and management left much to be desired.
When Mr Jackson referred to some improvements since the examiner's visit the LA warned: "Come, Mr Jackson! Don't play games, these improvements have largely been put in since you were advised of this inquiry." Later, when Mr Jackson remarked that he had fired a clerk for failing to keep proper control of inspection forms, the LA asked: "Are you quite sure the clerk was not filling in these forms? With deletions of mileages and a remarkable similarity between them — all the vehicles seem to have been in perfect condition when inspected — one wonders!"
Summing up, Mr Sheridan said that there was very conclusive evidence of neglect — "these vehicles are not safe" — and there had been a shocking record of prohibitions — "sufficient to justify the most drastic action". But, in all the circumstances, he would allow the probationary licence to continue unchanged until due for renewal in September this year. He would issue the sternest possible warning that if matters were not completely improved in the intervening months then the licence would be in serious jeopardy.