Trouble galore for Shetlands
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• A stern warning to all Shetland fleet operators was given by Mr A. B. Birnie, the Scottish LA, at a public hearing in Lerwick, when three operators were called to show cause why their licences should not be revoked, suspended, or curtailed under Section 69.
Mr Birnie said he was particularly shocked to get the vehicle examiner's report about Shetland's County Council fleet of 17 vehicles, in respect of which seven prohibition notices and eight defect notices had been served.
The county council was represented by Mr G. S. Peterson who called on Mr J. P. Moar, county surveyor, to speak for the council. Mr Moar agreed that the proper inspection records required had not been kept, and that maintenance inspections had not been carried out at the regular intervals as promised in the original application. But he produced documentary proof to show that the entire system had now been overhauled, and all vehicles would be inspected at monthly intervals.
Mr Birnie's decision was to curtail the council's licence by two vehicles for 10 weeks. But, in addition, he decided not to make a decision on the council's application for extra goods vehicles licences which they sought.
Mr Moar explained that because of the big build-up of work in his department, which now employ(s a direct labour force of over 320 men, he envisaged that another 12 vehicles and four trailers would be required over the next five years. The council sought an addition of six vehicles and two trailers during the next 12 months, with the other six vehicles and two trailers spread over the next four years. Mr Birnie said he would not grant the additions at the moment, and his decision would depend on a report by an inspector on how the council met its obligations in the near future.
Mr John Sutherland, Haroldswick, Uist, owner of five vehicles, was also represented by Mr Peterson at the inquiry and appeared personally at the hearing.
Defect notices had been served in respect of four of his vehicles, and he admitted failing to keep proper records. He was now doing so. Mr Birnie decreed that the licence should be curtailed for six weeks by four vehicles.
Alex Sandison and ns Ltd, Baltasound, which has only one vehi le, was deprived of the use of it for one week. Mr C. D. Sandison, for the firm, admitted not keeping proper records and said that there were defects on the vehicle when it was examined. The firm applied for an extra licence but Mr Birnie said he would not consider granting it at the moment.
The LA said his decisions had been very lenient, but he warned the three defaulters — and other 'operators in Shetland — that this would not be so in future.
"I am," he said "going to ask my staff to look at all island operators to see how things are. The warning to everyone is — put it right before I get to know about it. The investigation will not be next week, or even next month, so operators will have time to look at the situation; but I promise it will be done."
[There are no DoE testing stations for commercial vehicles in the Shetlands. En. j