Two days to do tests
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• Haulier AF McDonald Transport of Pyle has had its licence suspended and given 48 hours to get its vehicles tested by South Wales Licensing Authority John Mervyn Pugh.
The company was making its third appearance at disciplinary proceedings within three years. Director Anthony McDonald was also seeking a licence for 20 vehicles and six trailers in his own name, subject to the surrender of the company's licence.
A vehicle examiner said prohibition notices had been imposed on the company's vehicles for defects including worn tyres, loose propshait bolts, cracked body member supports and faulty brakes, some of which indicated neglect.
Mervyn Pugh said it was a horrendous story. He asked if he was being unfair if he came to the conclusion that defects occurred because of poor management and poor fitting staff. It seemed to him that the fitters were controlling the maintenance and not McDonald, said Mervyn Pugh.
For the company, Norman _Lewis said a conviction for using a vehicle without an excise licence was the result of an oversight. The vehicle should have been taxed two months previously. The penalty and back duty had been paid. Three tachograph offences had arisen out of ignorance.
Subsequently, Mervyn Pugh said he required a copy of each new MoT certificate to be faxed to the Traffic Area Office, and then the suspensions of those vehicles would be lifted.
Lewis said two contracts might be in jeopardy if vehicles were not available. The LA said that if necessary, the company would have to hire vehicles.
His duty was to see that its vehicles were safe and in Al condition at all times. It would cost the company a bit of money but it was better than having its licence revoked.
Adjourning the proceedings for five days, Mervyn Pugh said that if McDonald put the recommended system into force, the chances were that he would be allowed a new licence, but only for a short period.