TC told: Attention lapsed after illness
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A South Wales haulier appearing at his third public inquiry has had his licence curtailed from five vehicles to three for four weeks. Penarth-based Philip Morris had been called before Welsh Deputy Traffic Commissioner Alan Bourlet at a Cardiff disciplinary inquiry.
Morris admitted that during a period of illness he had not given the business the attention that he should. Conceding that a lack of paperwork had let him down, Morris said that he was now back in an active role and all his procedures had been reviewed.
Reporting a number of prohibition notices and variation notices on Morris' vehicles, vehicle examiner Alan Robson said the main problems seemed to have been air leaks from the braking system and, in one case, excessive wear on a spring actuator. Further defects were found when vehicles were presented for clearance despite three warning letters, the latest in February.
Morris had also been convicted by Taunton Dane magistrates for not having a two-yearly tachograph check.
Appearing for Morris, Fred Randall pointed out that the tachograph had been operating correctly. He felt that the policy of finding additional faults at test stations when the original defects had been rectified was unfair.
Robson replied: "At roadside checks examiners only have limited time and circumstances to check vehicles. Operators should prepare vehicles before taking them to test stations for clearance."
Curtailing the licence, and ordering a further maintenance investigation within six months, the DIG said he had to register his concern at the way matters had been allowed to slip.