Loose trailer bolts caused GV9s
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• Six fleet inspections in less than three years on a company operating up to 20 vehicles and 12 trailers had revealed a well maintained fleet which had required no more than an occasional word of advice from a vehicle examiner. Maintenance, inspection systems and staff were adequate and the company had always willingly accepted advice from visiting examiners.
This evidence was given by a vehicle examiner last week when the company, Murfitt Haulage, of Littleport, Cambs, appeared before the Eastern LA, Mr H. E. Robson, at Cambridge under Section 69.
The court was told that despite this record the company had incurred one immediate and three delayed GV9s in the past year. The reason, said Mr M. J. Murfitt, managing director, was that they had experienced trouble with loose bolts "all over the place" on newly delivered trailers. They now undertook a complete check of trailers before allowing them on to the road. Their inspection system was so organized that two fitters working independently had each to sign a clearance note before a vehicle was able to leave the yard.
The balance of their problems, continued Mr Murfitt, arose when a Foden lorry was stopped for a roadside check. When he attended the scene he was advised by a vehicle examiner that he, the examiner, had once employed the Foden driver "who had ruined every vehicle he had". He was, therefore, not at all surprised when the lorry showed defects. Mr Murfitt said the driver was dismissed as a result of this.
Saying that he felt the operator had strived to comply with his obligations and that there were no grounds for a direction on the licence, Mr Robson also allowed a variation to give Murfitt three extra vehicles and three trailers.