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Haulier on last warning
Page 31
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Scottish TC issues eight-week suspension on eight vehicles following three immediate and three delayed prohibitions in one month.
Maintenance problems have led to eight of the 23 vehicles run by Westhill,Aberdeenshire-based W&H Leslie being suspended for eight weeks. The company holds a licence for 25 vehicles and 35 trailers. It had been called before Scottish Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken at an Aberdeen disciplinary inquiry.
The TC was told of a series of prohibition notices, including three immediate. and three delayed prohibitions in June alone. One of the immediate prohibitions was a variation notice issued when a vehicle was presented for clearance.
MD William Leslie said he had employed a new mechanic in 2003.TheTC commented that this did not appear to have cured the maintenance deficiencies. The six most recent prohibitions did not give her any comfort that the company was improving its maintenance standards.
In the right direction
Leslie said he had begun to take steps to improve matters. He had placed an order for four brand new vehicles with manufacturer's R&M cover. His mechanic was to be sent on a Vehicle and Operator Services Agency vehicle inspection course and an extra mechanic would be helping him, with additional help at weekends. Many of the prohibitions related to tyres and specialist contractor Kenmay Tyres had been brought in to look after tyre maintenance.
Cutting the licence to 18 vehicles and 28 trailers for eight weeks, the TC said it was a very serious case. She had to put the company in such a position that Leslie had no choice but to maintain the vehicles properlc keep proper records and ensure that defects were reported and acted on. She was not yet convinced that proper systems were in place, but there was movement in that directionThecurtailment was not more severe because she was willing to give the company the chance to learn the lessons of its appearance at a public inquiry. However, any further prohibitions could have serious repercussions. •