Maintenance regime at fault
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grp7po A South Yorkshire itfr meat wholesaler
was said to have failed to provide satisfactory maintenance arrangements when it came before a Leeds disciplinary inquiry, but it escaped with a severe warning.
Sheffield-based Holden Meats, which holds a licence for four vehicles, was appearing before North Eastern Deputy Traffic Commissioner Brian Horner.
Vehicle examiner Norman White said that in June he had examined a vehicle which was undergoing engine repairs at the premises of the maintenance contractor. He had imposed an immediate prohibition for worn brake pads and two illegal tyres.
Of the two vehicles operated, White reported that one was hired from Ryder Truck Rentals, which held a full maintenance history. However, the maintenance his tory for the vehicle owned by Holden Meats was sparse. There appeared to be no planned maintenance system for that vehicle and there was no provision for drivers to record defects.
Only two inspection records, dated eight months apart, were available, and the defects he had found had been noted on the most recent record.
Michael Carter, associate director, said this was the first vehicle the company had owned and he had since found some more records. The company had now purchased two new vehicles which would be inspected by specialists every six weeks.
Asked why the vehicle had been allowed to get into such a poor condition, Carter said this was a busy company, though he realised that was no excuse. It certainly isn't," Horner replied.
Pointing out that the pro hibited vehicle would have been a danger to the driver and other road users, the Deputy IC took the view this had been wilful neglect—but as the company was a new operator he was prepared to be lenient. He called for a further maintenance investigation by the beginning of June.