Improvement deadline for Egan
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Neath-based Owen Egan has been given until the end of the month to improve his maintenance by South Wales Deputy Traffic Commissioner Alan Bourlet.
Vehicle examiner Michael Williams expressed concern at a Cardiff disciplinary inquiry at the lack of a maintenance system in operation for Egan's two vehicles. He said that last November he had imposed an immediate prohibition, endorsed significant maintenance failure, on an ERE tipper. An indicator was inoperative and three of the 10 wheelnuts on one wheel were so loose that they could be undone by hand. In addition, the propeller shaft flange bolts were loose, there was an insecure brake valve, an air pipe was chafing and there was a fractured chassis crossmember. The last driver's defect report had been dated 10 July.
There was no point in arguing about the defects found, said Egan. However, he pointed out that he had been operating lorries for 25 years and had never had an accident. i-le said that the prohibited vehicle had since been taken off the road and he had bought a newer truck.
Brian Roberts, proprietor of a commercial garage, said that he would work with Egan to ensure the recommended maintenance system was put into operation. Egan understood what needed to be done about a drivers' daily nil defect reporting system. He needed help on the administrative side and he was confident they could deal with that in the next seven days.
Adjourning the hearing until the end of the month, the Deputy Commissioner said Egan's operation had run smoothly for the first 20 years but now seemed to have run into difficulties.
He had concerns about the maintenance system and he would require assurance at the next hearing that Egan had put a proper maintenance system into place from start to finish.