Sickness blamed for coach defects
Page 26
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• A fleet inspection ordered by the Eastern Traffic Commissioners following disciplinary action last year led to the operator, T. Canham and Sons, of Whittlesey, Peterborough, appearing before the Commissioners again last week when licences for seven of a 19-vehicle fleet were revoked.
Mr George Spencer, a vehicle examiner, told the Commissioners that when he carried out an inspection of 16 vehicles in December, "not one was free from defects". In all. 15 defect notices were issued and eight PSV7I immediate prohibitions. He considered many of the faults were the result of lack of proper inspections and maintenance.
One vehicle, he said, had 15 faults between an inspection by one of Canham's fitters in November and his visit in December. He noted others with long lists of defects.
Mr Jack Canham, representing his company, admitted the defects which, he said, were due to a bout of sickness among his fitters during December. He had carried on with drivers helping out witl maintenance when two of his three full-timt fitters were away.
Mr Canham said he had had one vehich examined the day before the hearing, an this was clear of faults. He considere( this evidence of improvement. He require( 18 coaches to honour his contracts fo the daily carrying of workers and school children and three stage journeys.
The chairman, Mr H. E. Robson, said th company had operated between 19 and 2 vehicles, and had a history of rapid buyin and selling of coaches; some of its coache were quite elderly. The company had bee before the Commissioners in June last yea when four vehicles were suspended fa three months and a strong warning issue as to its future if matters did not improve.
The fleet, he said, would be reduced to 1 and no application for additional licene( would be entertained for nine month; another fleet inspection was ordered.
An application heard at the same time ft renewal of licences for two vehicles and a additional one was refused.