Chaotic records, licence curtailed
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• Eight GV9s issued on two vehicles and three trailers in a period of three months coupled with a vehicle examiner's report that the company's inspection records were so chaotic that he had failed to sort them out brought a Great Yarmouth operator before the Eastern deputy LA this week under Section 69.
For the company, John Lee Barber and Co Ltd, it was said that they had been running their fleet down and in April when the last prohibitions were issued only one vehicle was in use on the road. A second vehicle specified on the licence was in use as a shunter only on the firm's premises. When the situation was brought to the attention of the company secretary, Mr Brian Mondin, he investigated, removed the transport manager and arranged for the vehicles to be placed in the hands of another haulage company for inspections and servicing. This system, he felt, would work very well and he would keep personal control overall.
After taking evidence from a vehicle examiner the deputy LA, Mr Gerald Kidner, said it was quite clear there had been a serious breakdown in maintenance earlier this year. He accepted that some vehicles and trailers had been laid up for a long while but pointed out that since they were still on the licence they could be taxed and driven on the road at short notice; therefore it was proper that they should be examined and prohibited if found to be in a bad state.
Mr Kidner felt that the situation would not arise again under the guidance of Mr Mondin. He had seriously considered curtailing the whole licence but felt on reflection that it would be proper to curtail it by three vehicles and three trailers leaving two vehicles and five trailers.