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Licence reduced for maintenance failures
Page 34
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MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS have resulted in Western Traffic Commissioner Philip Brown reducing the licence held by Oxford-based John Werrell & Son from 20 vehicles and 30 trailers to 15 vehicles and 25 trailers.
Vehicle examiner Kevin Simms said that during an unannounced fleet check in September,three vehicles and five trailers were inspected, leading to the issue of three delayed prohibitions. In the past five years there had been 76 spot checks leading to the issue of 29 prohibitions.
Questioned by Chris Butterfield, for the company, Mr Simms said a road traffic accident in February 2001 had led to a maintenance investigation during which live vehicles and five trailers were examined without any faults being found.
He agreed that the maintenance facilities and staffing levels were adequate and that the intended purchase of a headlamp beam tester could have prevented some of the failures.
Director John Werrell said drivers were paid for 15 minutes at the beginning and end of each shift to cheek over their vehicles. Thirteen vehicles and 24 trailers were currently in possession.
The company was engaged in general haulage and any reduction in that figure would lead to a loss of work.Any suspension of the licence could be fatal to a National Grid contract which required 24-hour availability of the vehicles.
Cutting the licence, the TC said a main part of the problem was the inability of drivers to complete defect report books effectively to ensure that the vehicles were kept fit and serviceable.
Many of the defects noted, such as loose wheelnuts and faulty lights, should have been picked up by the drivers. Any competent driver would bring such matters to the operator's attention.
He gave the company credit for the steps being taken in the introduction of a new driver defect reporting system, the purchase of new equipment and the age profile of the fleet. However, it still had some way to go.