SCREAM FOR SPARES LA
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"QOMEONE should start screaming to me, the motor manufacturers or to their MPs if they are having considerable delays in getting spare parts for their vehicles, or if new vehicles arrive in a faulty condition", said Mr. John Hanlon, Northern LA in Durham.
Mr. Lawrence Thompson Banner, of Old Hall, Croft on Tees, Darlington, was appearing at a Section 178 inquiry. He had prohibition notices issued against three of the four vehicles on his B licence in February.
Mr. Banner had told Mr. Hanlon that he was having great difficulty in getting spare parts for Dodge vehicles. "I had to wait three weeks for a side window in a cab", he said.
Mr. Hanlon said: "It is no consolation to any member of the public involved in an accident with a lorry to know that the owner was waiting for spare parts. New vehicles I am told have been delivered in a state of defect. Someone should start screaming, whether he has got only one vehicle in his fleet or not."
Mr. Banner, who had GV9s issued against three of his vehicles in July, said: "I work every weekend on the vehicles to try and keep them in trim, but the men from the Ministry seem to find things that no one else can find. I tried my best."
One of his four lorries was suspended for 14 days as a "severe warning".