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Timber truck topples as it approaches school
Page 32
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A TIMBER vehicle's brakes were found to be in an "appallingly bad condition" after it overturned while going downhill near a school.
Welsh Deputy Traffic Commissioner Roger Seymour revoked the owners' licence for three years with immediate effect, saying he had never come across a vehicle in such a terrible state.
Jonathan and Kathryn Christopher, trading as JP&K Christopher Haulage. of Pontyclun, appeared before the DTC at a Cardiff disciplinary inquiry.
Vehicle examiner Christopher Enea said there had been an accident at Garth Hill. Rogerstone, very near a comprehensive school.
As the firm's vehicle was descending the hill laden with timber it overturned, spilling the load. The vehicle had no current test certificate, the excise licence was out of date and the last safety inspection was in October 2002. There was a 0% braking efficiency. The linings were worn, causing the brake shoes to jump over the brake cams so in effect there were no brakes on any wheel. When examined over a pit there was no movement in the brakes and the wheels could be moved by hand with the brakes applied.
All the components were excessively worn and had been like that for a long time. He said he had never seen brakes in such an appallingly bad condition.
Jonathan Christopher agreed that he had not maintained the vehicle. He said that the firm had bought another vehicle but it had not been ready so they had used the vehicle in question for a few days.
Kathryn Christopher, the nominated transport manager, broke down in tears while being questioned.
She said they couldn't excuse what they had done. The new vehicle was being maintained at six weekly intervals.
Revoking the licence, and disqualifying the partners from holding an 0-licence for three years, the DTC said they had totally ignored their obligations and it was only good fortune that nobody had been killed or injured.