More tankers granted
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• Keighley-based petrol tanker operator Allan Preston has succeeded in quadrupling his licence authorisation at a Leeds public inquiry.
Preston, who held a licence for two vehicles, applied for a further two vehicles based at the Granite Service Station, Bingley, and a further four vehicles and a trailer at Sandy Lane Garage, Bradford.
Vehicle examiner Peter Smith said Preston owned three retail petrol sites. He supplied fuel to those sites and others using his own vehicles. He examined two tankers prepared for his inspection in January, issuing two defect notices. He felt that the maintenance system was inadequate. There was no driver defect report ing system and defects were not recorded on the inspection sheets. No prohibition had been issued since a vehicle failed its annual test in June 1992. The defects found in January could have arisen during operation.
Smith had expressed concern about the lack of an inspection pit: Gary Hodgson, for Preston, said the code of practice indicated that a pit was not necessary if it was
possible to get underneath vehicles. Smith agreed it was possible but said it was "pushing it" with three-axled vehicles. He said the inspection records he had seen during the hearing were a vast improvement.
Preston said the vehicle that had failed its test in 1992 had been put in for test to find out what needed doing to it. He would he looking at making a pit available in the next 12 months.
Hodgson said the good enforcement history indicated that the vehicles were being maintained.
Granting the increase, with a warning, North Eastern Deputy Licensing Authority Brian Horner said the fact that the standard of maintenance had been satisfactory might be more good luck than good management.