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Formal warning for haulage giant
Page 16
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Frank Rycroft, the managing director of East Anglian haulage giant Turners (Soham), said he was "deeply embarrassed'' when he appeared at a Bristol disciplinary inquiry.
The firm, which runs more than 800 vehicles, appeared before Western Traffic Commissioner Philip Brown following a series of maintenance offences. The firm was also bidding to increase the authorisation on its Western licence from 46 to 56 vehicles.
Vehicle examiner Antony Proctor said the company had been sent warning letters in 1998, 2000 and 2001. He had visited five of the seven operating centres and found that there was a lack of records available. Of those he examined, he found that there were gaps of up 1013 weeks between inspections; roller brake tests had often been missed; and vehicles had not been signed off as roadworthy on occasions, despite assurances given in August 2000.
For the company, Paul Carless said that some of the depots were only used for parking vehicles and had no maintenance facilities. In addition, the maintenance records were all kept at the company's head office in Newmarket.
He added that the overall condition of the vehicles was good, with a 69% first-time pass rate at annual test. The company had now appointed a maintenance "supremo" who would visit the depots on a regular basis, taking his tools and overalls with him.
The company had moved quickly to fill the gaps, Carless told the inquiry. lie said that in future roller brake tests were to be made and recorded at every inspection.
Rycroft said the nub of the problem was that the maintenance records had not been available at the depots. Turners is currently seeking larger premises in the area to solve this problem.
We are a high profile company and have been deeply embarrassed," he said.
Issuing the company with a formal warning, the TC said that the prod of the pudding would be in the eating. Vehicle examiners would visit the company's depots again in six to nine months' time.
He warned that the company should be under no illusion over the likelihood of action being taken against its licence should it appear at a further public inquiry. However, the TC granted the increase in its 0-licence authorisation.