Welsh TC listens to parcel giant's plight
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Welsh TC David Dixon took a sym pathetic stance towards parcel giant ANC's maintenance problems last week.
The company was hauled before a Cardiff disciplinary inquiry after prohibitions were issued against various vehicles. But the TC took no action against the Operator's Licence and even granted an extension to the company's authorisation in order to relieve the pressure which the business was under.
A maintenance investigation carried out at ANC's Barry depot saw prohibitions being issued to both 0-licensed and smaller vehicles.
Vehicle examiner Andrew Rustage sad: "Some drivers conveyed their concerns about the vehicle condition. It seems to me they were told to carry out their deliveries regardless. Most of the defects should have been picked up on daily walkround checks." Rustage inspected four of the small vehicles not covered by the operators' licence, and issued immediate prohibitions for significant maintenance failure to three of them.
Stephen Slaney, ANC's general manager for transport, said the Barry operation had changed hands between franchised and corporate control. However, the business had now returned to the control of ANC and improvements had been implemented.
He said: "Maintenance is carried out under contract by the vehicle providers. We have regular review meetings where dates of the next services are discussed."
Vehicles now have defect books and letters had been sent to drivers reminding them of their obligations to carry out walk-round checks.
The TC said he was satisfied that the company had acted to solve its problems and granted a licence increase from seven vehicles to eight vehicles and three trailers.