Three checks led to public inquiry
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• Three unsatisfactory maintenance investigations in less than two years led to the appearance of Anthony and Jean Robinson, trading as Robinson Frozen Foods of Bradford, before North Eastern Traffic Commissioner Keith Waterworth.
Department of Transport vehicle examiner Keith Howram said that the one vehicle operated had been found with steering and brake defects on each occa
sion, with immediate prohibitions being imposed in January 1995 and January 1996, and a delayed prohibition in August. The vehicle was inspected every eight weeks by a reputable outside contractor but despite this, there were occasions when defects had been missed.
Asked about a conviction for unauthorised use, Robinson said the company's previous Operator's Licence had expired in 1989. He did not notice this until the vehicle was stopped in a check in January 1995. The company had received no notification that the licence was due for renewal, he said.
The vehicle was taken off the road until interim authority to operate was obtained.
Following the issue of the immediate prohibition in January, Robinson wrote to the maintenance contractor to complain that they missed a worn steering bracket. In August, when Robinson received a prohibition for an air leak, he changed contractor.
Robinson claimed that if he lost the licence his business would be ruined. It would be impossible to con tinue using outside transport, he said, because it was both unreliable and expensive. Issuing the firm with a final warning, Waterworth said it faced the 'prospect of losing its vehicle for at least a month if there were any more infringements.