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Caledonian Bulk Liquids slipped up

14th March 1975, Page 22
14th March 1975
Page 22
Page 22, 14th March 1975 — Caledonian Bulk Liquids slipped up
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VEHICLES operated by Caledonian Bulk Liquids Ltd, Immingham, a member of the Tayforth Group, were either not being inspected at the stated intervals or the inspections were not done properly. A DoE vehicle examiner told the Yorkshire deputy LA, Mr N F Moody, this at a Leeds public inquiry last week when referring to a fleet inspection at the Leeds public inquiry last week when referring to a fleet inspection at the Leeds depot at which seven defective vehicles were found.

The examiner said he imposed two immediate GV9s and five defect notices all of which would have warranted prohibitions had the vehicles been stopped in a roadside check. Other vehicles had defects which were rectified on the spot.

He added that there was a maintenance staff of five and a reasonable system, although inspection records were unsatisfactory. Some sheets were blank and there were no records for a number of trailers for long periods. He was told that the inspections, although not shown, were carried out.

The company's 0 licence specified 26 vehicles and 20 trailers with a margin for increase of six vehicles and five trailers.

Mr L. A. Meulenbergs, director and general manager, said headquarters was at Immingham, where all major repairs were carried out. The vehicles were all engaged in work under two contracts, one with Total Oil requiring 20 vehicles with a further four available at 48 hours notice, and one with Mobil Oil requiring five regular vehicles. Pointing out that in 1974, £43,787 was spent on maintenance and £12,000 on tyres, Mr Meulenbergs said there had been slip-ups, but it was not because expenditure was skimpted. The reasons included staff problems, the foreman fitter being off for two months and a new depot manager not having supervised docu mentation adequately. There were also business pressures with the customers requiring vehicles double-shifting in the autumn and long delays in the supply of new vehicles by manufacturers.

Tightening Up

There had now been a tightening up with a new system initiated. The company's past record was good with only two delayed prohibitions in five years. The fleet engineer had advised that at least three vehicles should be off the road at any one time for maintenance and this meant that a fleet of at least 28 vehicles was required to meet contracts.

Mr Moody said he was satisfied the company was a responsible operator and that the situation was not due to lack of finance or deliberate neglect. He did not accept the proposition that it would be unfair to impose a penalty which would leave insufficient vehicles to meet the contracts; but in view of the past good record and the steps taken he would not impose a severe penalty. Four vehicles would be curtailed from the licence for three months.

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Locations: Leeds

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