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Trailers are blamed for firm's prohibition record

22nd September 2005
Page 34
Page 34, 22nd September 2005 — Trailers are blamed for firm's prohibition record
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

THE CONDITION OF Norfolk Line semi trailers was blamed for a number of prohibition notices recorded against Newton Stewart-based Calgovv Transport when the company appeared at a Dumfries disciplinary inquiry. Among the reasons cited for this was the more relaxed attitude to goods vehicle operation in Northern Ireland.

Vehicle examiner Robert Carson told Scottish Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken that Calgow's vehicles had attracted five immediate and 11 delayed prohibitions over the past five years.

Ownership problem Appearing tor the company, Michael Kilkerr said it did not own any trailers of its own. A number of the prohibitions related to trailers supplied by Norfolk Line; and were for a TDG Group trailer. Spray suppression equipment could be in place when a journey began and could go missing en route. When drivers collected trailers it was difficult for them to inspect every aspect of a tyre they could only do their best. Some of the trailers were empty when collected and there was a considerable amount of vibration, which could cause a bulb nearing the end of its life to go.

Norfolk Line trailers featured largely and Calgow was concerned that there had been problems with these trailers. Since November a Norfolk Line employee had been servicing that arm's trailers at Calgow's premises every 17 weeks and checking them as they came in. He also provided a 24-hour service in the Stranraer area.

Norfolk Line was a Northern Summary Ireland-based company and it was something of a government problem as the regulations were enforced in Northern Ireland by the Department of Environment. The application of the regulations in Northern Ireland was more relaxed than in Great Britain.

The hearing was adjourned until a date to be fixed.