Bad maintenance restricts 0-licence
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MIDLOTHIAN haulage firm, whose maintenance standards teriorated when it became a subsidiary of a larger company, has :1 its Operator's licence restricted.
I-he Traffic Commissioners re ruled that Dobson (Edinrgh) Ltd's licence should be luced from 70 to 50 and the mber of trailers cut from 164 30,
kt a hearing on May 11, Comssioners chairman Hugh :Namara said: "Things have ne sadly wrong during the 3t two years. A good family inpany has turned into a bad midiary of a multiple."
he Commissioners had earbeen told that an inspection Department of Transport Jicle examiners found mainlance lacking on Dobson's 'sides. There were too few if to cope with the number of 'tides and insufficient facili3 for maintenance, and the number of prohibitions placed on the vehicles had been increasing over the past few years.
Vehicle examiner Bernard York said that until 1979 Dobson's maintenance had been of a reasonably high standard and had been an example to other haulage operators. But when the firm becarde a subsidiary of the Birmingham-based Royal Vehicle Group, standards deteriorated.
Inspection and maintenance of vehicles was irregular, said Mr York, and Dobson's had only the equivalent of seven mechanics to maintain 108 vehicles.
In evidence, general manager of Dobson's, Andrew Park said the fleet had been considerably reduced recently and a lot of money was being spent to ensure maintenance standards were improved.
Another haulier, Andrew White & Co of Newtongrange, was also warned to improve its fleet maintenance after defects were found in three out of four vehicles inspected.
Mr McNamara said: "Times are hard for the haulage trade, but the last thing we want is people cutting corners at the expense of safety."