Last chance for major fleet • One of the largest
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haulage companies in West Wales has escaped with a final warning at a Cardiff disciplinary inquiry following a series of prohibition notices. Ammanford-based TD Williams (Brynamman), appeared before South Wales Deputy Traffic Commissioner Alun Jenkins.
He heard that in the past 12 months two immediate and 13 delayed prohibitions had been imposed on the company's vehicles and trailers; seven of them for brake defects. A maintenance investigation had revealed that stated inspection frequencies were not being adhered to and that the company's maintenance staff were working long hours.
For the company, Stephen Kirkbright said that in the past the company had operated as many as 130 vehicles but currently it was down to 63 vehicles and 90 trailers.
The older vehicles were on a four-weekly inspection cycle and the newer ones were inspected every six weeks.
Additional maintenance staff had been taken on, and there was now a three-shift working pattern with two fitters on duty at night, said Kirkbright. The Freight Transport Association had been called in so the company could take advantage of its expertise.
Managing director Thomas Williams said a fleet administration manager, Ken Morgan, had been appointed who was immediately below him in status. The staff could not override any decisions made by Morgan.
Many of the older vehicles in the fleet had been replaced. One of the prohibitions had been imposed on a vehicle which should never have been on the road, said Williams. It had been taken out by a driver due to a breakdown in communication.
"I couldn't believe that vehicle was on the road," said Williams. "Someone thought that it was available but no one accepted responsibility for taking it out" Warning that this was the company's last chance, as it was unlikely to find the TC or his deputy so lenient again, Jenkins said Williams was a high-profile company in West Wales—there were few, if any, larger.
There had been serious lapses in the maintenance system, which had not been properly supervised. Though there was a degree of confidence in the future, in view of the steps taken, discipline of the workforce was necessary.
He directed that there should be a maintenance investigation in six months' time.