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Dis ma aceful' maintenance e good by new fitter
Page 24
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Telford-based Highway Logistics has had its fleet
irillhalved for a three-week period at Christmas after its maintenance record was described as "a disgrace".
The company, which holds an Operator's Licence for 10 vehicles and six trailers, with 10 vehicles in possession, was called before West Midland Traffic Commissioner David Dixon at a Birmingham disciplinary inquiry. Vehicle examiner Russell Hall said that over the past five years 14 immediate and 11 delayed prohibitions had been issued, with 10 variation notices. Two of the immediate prohibitions had been issued at annual tests. There were occasions when drivers had reported defects on up to five consecutive days without them being rectified.
He agreed that of the 55 items listed on the prohibitions, 22 related to brakes.
For the company. Paul Carless said that in future roller brake tests would be earned out twice a year. A Brakesafe tester, which was "the 21st century version of the Tapley Meter", would be used at each inspection. The head rater had been replaced and his replacement was to attend a three-day VI course.
MD Trevor Watkiss said that they had spent a lot of money maintaining vehicles but at the end of the day the head fitter had not been up to the job. A lot of the vehicles were away all week and if there was a minor defect the driver woi write it down each day. Any suspension the licence for any length of time would f ish the business.
Removing the trailers from the licenc and suspending five vehicles for thr weeks, the TO said that Highway Logistii prohibition rate was more than double t national average.
'To be blunt that record is a disgrace a decent operator," he said. it reflects VE poorly on father and son. Bad maintenan has been stanng them in the face for a nu ben of years and they have not done at thing about it until fairly recentV
However, Dixon took account of the tE that this was the company's first put inquiry and that the new fitter alrea seemed to have made his mark. "In view the steps now being taken I feel I can all( the licence to continue," he concluded.