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AXLE/VEHICLE

29th April 1999, Page 22
29th April 1999
Page 22
Page 22, 29th April 1999 — AXLE/VEHICLE
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Keywords : Flavell

ENVIRONMENTAL Authorisation cut following

CONCERNS OVERLOADING

DRIVER CS S two maintenance inquiries

LICENSING

Two vehicles have been cut from the 15-vehicle licence held by Halesowen tipper operator Alan Flavell following his second appearance at disciplinary proceedings in less than two years over maintenance problems.

West Midland Traffic Commissioner David Dixon also took into account two overloading convictions, one for a 6% gross overload; the other for a 6% axle overload.

Vehicle examiner John Matthews said that between March 1998 and 22 January this year three immediate and five delayed prohibitions had been imposed on Flavelt's vehicles. None were for significant maintenance failures, and all but one were for single items. However, there appeared to be a recurring problem with loose wheel

nuts, inoperative stop lamps and fuel and oil leaks. One prohibition was for a worn tyre, which he felt should have been picked up by the drivers.

Matthews did not think that there had been a breakdown in the maintenance system, but he believed it did need 'tweaking".

For Flavell, Michael Carless said that he operated older vehicles which he took a great pride in. Flavell was proud to be British and operating British vehicles.

Flavell said he had been forced to vacate his previous operating centre by the beginning of June and despite promises that the new premises would be completed there was no electricity when the company moved in. He had spent around i150,000 on constructing and equipping the new premises.

The vehicles were engaged on very rough work and that was why he did not buy new vehicles as they would just get smashed up, Flavell added. At the vehicle examiner's suggestion the period between inspections had been reduced to four weeks and wheelnuts were torqued up every two days.

The two overloading convictions were the only two in 25 years, said Flavell. It was impossible to check-weigh axles and they had to rely on the capabilities of the digger drivers and tipper drivers when loading. Weighing devices could be fitted to the diggers but the big contractors would not spend the mones he said.

Cutting the licence, Dixon said it was disappointing that Flavell was back at a public inquiry so soon after being given a warning about maintenance by Deputy IC Roger Seymour in October 1997. However, he accepted that Flavell was committed to high standards of maintenance.

Whatever the difficulties, Dixon concluded, at the end of the day the onus was on the operator to ensure his vehicles were not overloaded.


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