Severe warning on vehicle servicing
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
AN OWN-ACCOUNT operator believed that because two of its vehicles were new and under warranty they did not need monthly maintenance inspections.
And that led to Walker Bros (Walsall) Ltd being given a severe public warning by the West Midland Deputy Licensing Authority, Mr J. Shufflebotham, at Birming ham last week.
Vehicle examiner, Mr K. W. Girling, said the company held a licence for three vehicles and three trailers. Two of the units were based at Walsall and one at Netherton.
Although the two Walsall vehicles were in good condition, there was no evidence of any regular planned fleet maintenance.
The management did not appear to understand the requirements of Operators' licensing and seemed concerned about the expense involved. There were no inspection records.
Mr Stanley Williams, company secretary and joint general manager, said he had mistakenly thought that the new vehicles did not require monthly inspections as he was satisfied they were being maintained by the drivers in a good condition.
Following the vehicle examiner's visit, he took immediate steps to have vehicles regularly inspected.
Questioned about the lack of maintenance records at Walsall, Mr Williams said he, personally, did not realise the detail required.
The garage carrying out the servicing of the vehicles under warranty had not produced any records and the company had not asked for them, as he had believed that financial records were sufficient.
Issuing a severe public warning Mr Shufflebotham directed that vehicle examiners carry out a further check in six months' time. Although he had been impressed by the fact that the vehicles had been well maintained and that there was no question of safety having been impaired, he could not ignore the situation altogether.