No defect report, no money, LA told
Page 17
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WHEN something other than transport was the main business. there was a tendency to neglect it. In the case of Slack & Cox Ltd, mineral water manufacturer, bottler, and distributor of Manchester, the evidence indicated the directors were not paying sufficient attention to transport and had not allocated sufficient resources to enable the fleet to be maintained.
These comments were made by the North Western LA, Mr R. D. Hutchings, at Manchester last week when he reduced the company's 0 licence from 15 to 13 vehicles and suspended two more for six months.
Evidence was given by a vehicle examiner that a fleet check in July 1975 showed that the workshop facilities were inadequate, there was no proper system for preventive maintenance and vehicles were unsatisfactory. Improvements were promised but had not taken place when there was a further inspection in May this year.
Of eight vehicles examined two received immediate prohibitions and all were issued with defect notices.
Mr T. Davies, distribution manager, said the vehicles operated within a 40-mile radius of Manchester.
After the examiner's visit in 1975 the transport manager advised the managing director that a rota system for inspection and drivers' vehicle reports ought to be introduced, and the facilities improved. In October FTA inspection forms were introduced and drivers warned there would be disciplinary • action if defect reports were not handed in. Now wages were not paid until this had been done._