Reprieve until next year
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• Oldham-based BJ Crowther & Sons is allowed to continue operating until its licence expires in March 1996, despite maintenance problems, after telling North Western LA Martin Albu that it had new vehicles on order. The firm holds a licence for six vehicles and a trailer.
Vehicle examiner Graham Brock said he had carried out an investigation because of prohibitions issued at a roadside check. He inspected three vehicles, issuing one vehicle with an immediate prohibition and the other two vehicles with defect notices All three vehicles showed signs of preparation.
The maintenance records showed inspection intervals had not been fully followed. There were no records available before January 1994. It was clear from the number of prohibitions and variation notices issued since 1990 that the firm's maintenance programme had failed.
The firm's proprietor Bernard Crowther said one vehicle, which kept receiving prohibition notices, had been taken off the road. Two new vehicles had been ordered for delivery later in the month. They had been bought on a three-year maintenance contract, and were to be serviced by the main dealer. When the new vehicles were delivered the company would be running five tippers and one low-loader.
Albu said the firm had taken some action by getting new vehicles, helping to ease the pressure on their fitter. The licence was due to expire in March 1996. He would give the firm a chance arid content himself with issuing a formal warning.