Another chance for Welsh firm
Page 16
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A South Wales operator has won a six-month stay of execu tion following its third appearance at a public inquiry since 1996.
Gwilym Evans, trading as Upper Boat Skip Hire, of Pontypridd, had been called before Welsh Traffic Commissioner David Dixon at a Cardiff disciplinary inquiry—his second in a year—after the issue of a prohibition for a serious maintenance failure notice prompted a maintenance investigation.
Vehicle examiner Stephen Cook told the TC that the prohibition had been issued dur ing a roadside check for a tyre tread which had been re-cut too deeply; loose propeller shaft bolts; and a fractured road spring. One of Evans' vehicles was issued with a further immediate prohibition during a fleet check in January, which was varied after further defects were found later.
'The maintenance systems in operation appear adequate," said Cook, "However, there is one weak link. The weak link is the conditbn of the maintenance being carried out."
Evans told the hearing that the prohibition items were not all apparent during a driver's daily walk-round check. He criticised his repairer, saying he had invited him to attend the pubic inquiry, but this invitation had been declined.
"My Operator's Licence is on the line because of his negligence," Evans told the TC, adding that it was the "third marriage" between his operation and maintenance contractors and he was still looking for alternatives, including contract hire.
"I didn't want to come and see you again," he told the TC. "There is no-one who can point the finger at me and say I am not trying my best."
Evans said he had just received planning permission for a new depot and waste transfer station which he claimed would enable him to employ his own fitter and keep his maintenance in-house.
Adjourning the proceedings for six months, the TC said it was unusual for an operator to be called to three public inquiries and not have his licence revoked. He asked Evans for an undertaking that he would change his maintenance arrangements within four weeks and warned that further prohibitions would cost him his licence.