13 GV9s in three years and curtailment suspension
Page 31
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• A South Wales company which operates 20 tractive units and 36 trailers from bases in Cardiff, Liverpool and London and which during 1970/1972 received a total of 13 prohibition notices and one conviction for overloading appeared before the South Wales LA in Cardiff last week.
Nationwide Transport Ltd, Cardiff, a subsidiary of the ship repairing company of C. H. Bailey Ltd, appeared to show cause why its licence should not be revoked, curtailed or suspended under Section 69.
Mr Norman Lloyd Edwards, appearing for the company, said that although there seemed to be a long list of prohibitions and at first sight they looked quite formidable when they were broken down it did not appear to be such a bad record.
The first GV9s were in 1970 when four were issued, one of which was immediate on a trailer. "The company was operating 23 vehicles at the time and one immediate on this number is not a high percentage at all," said Mr Edwards.
In 1971 six notices were received, one immediate. again on a trailer. Mr Edwards said these were all issued at the time of a fleet inspection in February. The inspection was carried out as vehicles came into the depot and without any warning to put the vehicles into first-class order.
There was one delayed notice in May 1971. one in March 1972 and one in September 1972, but not a single one on a tractive unit since May 1971.
The company also had one court conviction for overloading at Derby in December 1972 and was fined £10 each on three summonses, the offence in respect of one vehicle only.
Mr Edwards told the deputy LA, Mr Hugh James, that the maintenance facilities were extremely good and the company employed 10 men at the depot as well as office staff.
The deputy LA Mr Hugh James, said he was very impressed with the manner in which the evidence was given and was satisfied that the company was doing everything it could to improve maintenance, but he had to give proper consideration to past misdemeanours.
"Unfortunately,, the fact remains that between July 1970 and 1972 two immediate and 11 delayed notices were issued, and there was the most serious offence of overloading at Derby last year for which your company pleaded guilty. This was highly dangerous and I don't think it should be overlooked," said Mr Hugh James.
The margin of five vehicles was removed and the licence was further curtailed by the removal of three vehicles for three months.