Revocation next time, warns LA
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• A West Midland paving stone firm which ignored a warning that its operator's licence was in jeopardy after three of its vehicles received four prohibitions was called before the deputy West Midland LA, Mr Shufflebotham, under Section 69, in Birmingham on Wednesday.
The court heard that the firm, which operates under the name of its proprietor — Mrs A. M. Hall — had been called to the inquiry after the firm had taken no steps to remedy the vehicle maintenance problem following the attraction by its vehicles of one immediate and three delayed GV9s in the latter part of 1970 and January of 1971.
Giving evidence on behalf of the DoE, Mr L. Nichols, vehicle examiner, told the deputy LA that he had visited the depot of Mrs Hall on June 6 this year and inspected six vehicles. One of these was issued with an immediate GV9 and two others with delayed prohibitions. After making further inquiries he found that the company itself did not carry out preventive maintenance inspection nor did it keep maintenance records. Minor repairs were carried out by two mechanics, both of whom were employed on a part-time basis, and any larger repairs were undertaken by a local garage.
Mr Nichols went on to tell the deputy LA that on the day preceding the inquiry another vehicle operated by Mrs Hall had received an immediate 0V9 following a spot-check at Garrett's Green heavy goods vehicle testing centre.
After hearing that both Mrs Hall and her manager, Mr W. R. Ryan, were ignorant of 0-licensing requirements the deputy LA decided to curtail the licence by removing the two vehicles which had not been acquired and three vehicles which were in possession. He warned the firm that another inspection would be carried out in three months time and if the firm had not improved its maintenance system there was a very strong possibility that the licence would be revoked altogether.