Shorrock licence increase
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• Prestonbased farm haulier Richard Shorrock has had the authorisation on his licence increased from five to six vehicles at a Manchester public inquiry. North Western Licensing Authority Martin Albu had considered taking action against the licence in the light of maintenance problems, but decided that it was not necessary as the licence expires in October.
Department of Transport vehicle examiner Robert Stewart said that he had examined four of Shorrock's vehicles in August and issued one immediate prohibition. The inspection records were not properly completed and the monthly inspection of the prohibited vehicle was four weeks overdue. The workshop was leased out to a freelance mechanic who also worked on other operators' vehicles.
Prior to the fleet check there had been a delayed prohibition in November 1990 and in January 1991 the same vehicle was prohibited at annual test for a serious brake defect.
Stewart felt that Shorrock had lost control by allowing the mechanic to keep the inspection records. He visited the premises again on 7 February, inspecting three vehicles and issuing two delayed prohibitions for steering defects. One of the prohibited vehicles had passed its annual test 14 days previously and the other had been inspected by Shorrock's mechanic 15 days before. Stewart agreed that it was possible that the defects had risen since.
Shorrock said that he had been a haulier for 27 years and found it amazing that a vehicle could pass its annual test and 14 days later be found to have excessively worked track rod ends.
He had relied on the fitter in the past, but that had changed. He now personally made sure that the job was done properly. He was satisfied that the fitter was now up to scratch with the records. A driver defect book had been introduced and interim checks were being carried out between inspections. He said that money for vehicle maintenance was not a problem.