No maintenance logs kept for 17 years
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The only evidence of defects were invoices showing when work was carried out.
AN OPERATOR THAT kept no maintenance records for 17 years has had its licence curtailed from four vehicles to three for a period of 10 days. The company was told that it would have lost its licence if it had not taken remedial action during the months following a vehicle examiner's inspection in January.
Lambeth-based frozen-fish distributor Milegate. with a restricted licence for four vehicles issued in 1993. was appearing at an Eastbourne public inquiry before South Eastern Traffic Commissioner (TC) Philip Brown (right).
The TC told Milegate director Nouni Nourani: "It's shocking to learn about an operator that has had a licence for nearly 17 years and has run a business in almost total ignorance of the system. If ever there was a case that highlights the need for restricted licence holders to employ a CPC holder, this is it."
The TC was considering an application to close Milegate's operating centre at Rushcroft Road and transfer two vehicles based there to the company's site at Somerleyton Road, where a further two vehicles are based.
A traffic examiner was satisfied that the Somerleyton Road site could accommodate four non-artic vehicles if: the site is cleared of rubbish: no vehicles are more than 28 tonnes; and all vehicles must enter and exit in forward gear. Ghulaim Hussain. barrister for Milegate. said these conditions would be met.
However, a report by a vehicle examiner who visited in January found: • No defect reporting system • No maintenance contract • No forward-planning system • No preventive maintenance inspection sheets. The report added that first-time pass rate at annual test was 13.3%, compared with the national average of 60% and final pass rate was 20%, compared with the average of 80%.
Hussein said the only maintenance records before January were invoices showing work carried out when drivers pointed out defects.The correct systems have since been implemented, and Nourani is attending a Freight Transport Association (FTA) operator's course.
The TC suspended one vehicle from the licence for 10 consecutive days with a deadline of 21 October for completion of the penalty, with that vehicle not used on another licence during that time. He set an undertaking that Milegate must supply two six-monthly FTA maintenance and compliance arrangement reports to the Traffic Area Office.