LIVERPOOL HAULIERS ADMIT MAINTENANCE DEFICIENCIES
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AN unopposed application by G. Catchpole and Sons Ltd., Ellesmere Port, was also heard at Liverpool on Monday. This was for the renewal with modification of an A licence in respect bf 15 vehicles (93-)tons) and one tanker (91 tons). to be acquired, to replace one artic (9+ tons) and seven trailers (29 tons).
The inquiry was devoted to maintenance matters and the application was adjourned for two months. On the applicant's behalf, Mr. J. Edward Jones said his clients were fully conscious of the serious position in which they found themselves and did not wish to offer any excuses. Notice to report defects had been ignored by the drivers because of a substantial turnover in driving staff who had been anxious to keep the vehicles on the road to safeguard their level of wages.
The company had been involved in two fatal accidents, but on each occasion had been exonerated. A disadvantage was that the vehicles and the office were some a28 distance apart, but this was to be remedied, said Mr. Jones. A different system of maintenance records was to be introduced.
Mr. J. Catchpole, director, expressed his deep regret for the sorry state of affairs, but spoke of the difficulty of getting and keeping drivers: the turnover was " fantastic " compared with years ago. Maintenance reports had now replaced maintenance cards, said Mr. Catchpole, for which he had made himself responsible. A pegboard had been introduced, showing immediately vehicles in and out of service, and they had plans for a new inspection pit. He handed in copies of maintenance reports and the form of log book in operation for years, with a notice to drivers inside the front cover.
A Ministry vehicle examiner, Mr. A. L. White, gave the results of an investigation during June. Of 62 vehicles, an immediate prohibition notice was served in respect of 14 and a delayed notice in respect of 14. Answering the LA, Mr. White said he was not impressed with the applicant's premises and could not anticipate any appreciable improvement until an experienced engineer was appointed.
Deciding on an adjournment for two months, the LA said that a further Ministry maintenance inspection would be made during that time.
Short Suspension FOLLOWING a Section 178 inquiry at Colchester on October 15 (see Tire Commercial Motor, October 22) two vehicles of Mr. R, H. Argent, of Wethersfield, have been suspended for four weeks, The application for a B variation by Mr. Argent on October 15 was granted: a previous B-variation bid heard on September 7 was granted with the exception of goods for Myhill and Sons Ltd.