Inquiry heard there were no financial constraints on maintenance.
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IC accepts haulier's maintenance policy • Highland Haulage of Inverness has been granted an increase in its licence authorisation from 52 vehicles and 74 trailers to 67 vehicles and 92 trailers. It appeared at an Inverness disciplinary inquiry because of concern over its maintenance record, but Scottish Traffic Commissioner Michael Betts decided not to take any action against its licence.
Vehicle examiner Allan Martin said that 12 prohibition notices had been issued to the company's vehicles and trailers. The maintenance facility consisted of a one-bay workshop and he considered that any increase in the authorised fleet would overload the maintenance facilities.
In reply to Andrew Woolfall, for the company, Martin accepted that the defects found did not reveal any maintenance problems. He agreed that the vehicles and trailers were all relatively new and generally in good condition. He was unaware that 20 vehicles were being maintained under manufacturer's servicing contracts.
Woolfall said a prohibition showing neglect had resulted from the fitting of faulty parts for which the company had since been compensated by the manufacturer. He pointed out that the inspection pit was 48ft long and it was possible to get six tractors into the bay. The trailers were maintained at a second site in Inverness.
Managing director David Thomson said the company took pride in its fleet and it took every step possible to ensure that it was kept in a roadworthy condition. He felt there was spare workshop capacity as it was not necessary for it to be open round the clock. The company had bought an adjacent warehouse which it was planning to convert into a large workshop.
Fleet engineer Hugh Bell said the criticisms in the vehicle examiner's report in relation to forward planning and driver defect reporting had all been addressed and there were no financial constraints on the maintenance of the vehicles.