Trouble helps demolition men
Page 19
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ALTHOUGH the maintenance of vehicles operated by Thorpe Demolition and Excavations Ltd of Rotherham appeared on the surface, to be well under control, the condition of the vehicles themselves suggested either a lack of maintenance or a poor standard.
This was said by vehicle examiner Christopher Jones when the company applied to add six vehicles and five trailers to its existing 10vehicle license before the Yorkshire deputy licensing authority N. F. Moody at Sheffield recently.
Mr Jones said he had carried out a fleet inspection following the issue of an immediate prohibition in a roadside check. He examined five vehicles and issued one delayed prohibition and three defect notices.
An affidavit sworn by consultant engineer Edwin Webster was produced which said he had carried out an investigation. He concluded that insufficient time was being allowed for the inspections and there were insufficient details on the inspections records. Graham Wilson, the company general manager, said the maintenance staff also looked after the fleet of an associate company Thorpe Metals Ltd and if the application was granted, they would have a total of 22 vehicles and six trailers in their care. All the recommendations made by Mr Webster, including the purchase of additional equipment, had been put into effect.
The vehicles were engaged on the movement of rubble and spoil from demolition sites and tyre damage cost the company £1,500 per month. Arrangements had been made for a tyre firm to come in daily.
After Mr Moody had commented that the fleet inspection had shown that the previous inspection system had missed a defect, Mr Wilson said he felt that one of the problems in the past had been a lack of supervision. This has now been solved by the appointment of a foreman.
Granting the application, Mr Moody said the company had obviously gone to considerable trouble to put its maintenance system right.