More checks for council refuse trucks
Page 33
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• When random checks were carried out on a number of refuse trucks and municipal vehicles operated by Dalton-in-Furness UDC in October and November of this year, several were found to be in an unroadworthy condition, a public inquiry in Barrow-in-Furness was told on Wednesday when the council was called before the Northern LA, Mr J. A. T. Hanlon, under Section 69.
The LA heard that the first GV9 had been issued on October 13 when a vehicle was examined and found to have eight defects. As a result of this, further checks were made on November 9 and one immediate, one delayed and one defect notice were issued.
Representing Dalton UDC, Mr K. J. Bishop told the LA that the council realized that the condition of the vehicles was a very serious matter and had taken steps to improve maintenance arrangements. He explained that originally maintenance to the three refuse vehicles operated by the council had been carried out by drivers who were given three hours overtime on Saturday mornings for this purpose. The four vehicles and two trailers which the council also operated were again inspected and maintained by their drivers once a month and he added that in both cases drivers were supposed to make daily defect sheets out.
He went on to say that the council had now made arrangements with Lancashire CC's transport department for the maintenance of all the vehicles concerned. As well as keeping records the transport department was also to make available its mobile maintenance unit for any emergency repairs.
Mr Hanlon decided to take no action against the licence held by Dalton UDC, but he said that the council should treat the hearing as a warning and added that vehicle examiners would be carrying out further inspections in the near future.