Haulier's history of strained resources
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• When a Lowestoft, Suffolk, company took over another haulage firm in 1968 it so strained its resources that by March 1969 it had to answer 55 charges of breaches of its B licence. Later, having acquired an 0 licence, its record improved but there were still many lapses during which the company and its drivers had been prosecuted for causing danger by reason of load, drivers' hours and records offences, excess smoke and tyres offences.
Admitting this history, Mr Derek Pretty, director and fleet manager for W. F. Pretty (Haulage Contractors) Ltd, of Lowestoft, who appeared before the Eastern LA, Mr H. E. Robson, under Section 69 on Tuesday, said that the takeover had swamped his small staff and systems which had now been completely overhauled.
A vehicle examiner said that he called on the company in September 1971 and found that inspection records showed intervals of four, eight and even 12 months between entries. He was told that some of the vehicles were used for seasonal work only and had not been used for some while. On a second visit in April 1972 the company had 21 vehicles in possession, 12 were said to be on the road and nine not running. The examiner inspected six vehicles and issued four GV9s and a defect notice. Only one vehicle was cleared.
For the company, it was said that though they admitted all that had been said it was not as sinister as might be thought". In the case of GV9s the defects were in some cases known and the vehicles were in the yard for attention when the examiner called. In another case a vehicle had not been used for eight months whilst another had been granted a test certificate only 18 days before. In fact, the company had made considerable improvements since May this year. It had taken on two new fitters and implemented new inspection and maintenance facilities. Mr Pretty now had personal control of the fleet and was entirely confident that there would be no more trouble.
Through his solicitor, Mr Pretty offered, in view of evidence relating to the possible compulsory purchase of his premises, to surrender six vehicles from his licence, pointing out that he had 21 vehicles specified on a licence authorizing 27. He also offered to reduce his trailers from nine to foul..
Accepting this, but directing that six of the remaining vehicles be suspended for one month, Mr Robson said that Mr Pretty had been very frank with him. He had been greatly concerned with the dangerous loads offences but he now appreciated that these related to coal carrying business on domestic routes and he felt he could take a lenient view. He felt the new measures he had heard of would prevent similar trouble.