Ten thousand fewer prohibitions
Page 30
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LAs report better maintenance but criticize spares shortage
by lain Sherriff • In 1968-69 the number of prohibition notices issued fell to 37,157, which was 10,500 fewer than in the previous year. And in the same period maintenance standards and vehicle condition noticeably improved, say the Licensing Authorities in their latest annual reports. But they also have comments to make on the shortage of spare parts, and its continued effect upon vehicle availability and fitness.
The Annual Reports of the Licensing Authorities for the period October 1 1968 to September 31 1969 were published on Friday, and cost 8s net from HM Stationery Office. As well as recording the marked improvement in maintenance standards, one LA reports that allegations about the unlicensed entry of foreign goods vehicles were substantiated by an investigation.
From the Northern traffic area, Mr J. A. T. Hanlon reports that there was evidence of increasing efficiency in the whole field of technical activity, together with some improvement in the general standard of maintenance of goods vehicles based in the area.
The Yorkshire traffic area LA changed during the period and Maj-Gen Sir John Potter reports that there were a substantial number of convictions for licence and records offences. "It is surprising to find that the offenders include a number of operators of large vehicles who pleaded that they had assumed that the Transport Act 1968 freed them from carriers' licence restrictions."
Following allegations that foreign hauliers were disregarding the law when operating in this country, the Yorkshire LA had his staff carry out an investigation in the port of Hull. The findings revealed that of the 13 vehicles checked, none was properly documented. The LA considers that there is a need for a tighter system of control on foreign entries.
Mr C. R. Hodgson, the North Western LA reports on the completion of a five-year programme on the inspection of A-licensed fleets and maintenance facilities. These inspections were carried out prior to licences being renewed. In only 21 cases was the standard of maintenance considered inadequate.
Mr John Else, the West Midland LA records two main impressions of the industry. First, he believes that the period covered by the report was used to take stock and put the house in order prior to the introduction of operators' licensing. He has also formed the impression that the goods vehicle testing scheme started the process of separating the "wheat from the chaff". He suggests that operators are ceasing to use pre-1968 vehicles because they consider the cost of bringing the vehicles up to the requisite standard is too great—or that payloads, when plated, would be uneconomic.
From the East Nfidand area, Mr C. M. Sheridan reports that while the number of serious defects recorded on prohibition notices has decreased, the number of prohibition notices has increased. The main cause for this increase, says the report, has been the introduction of "more complicated air braking systems and the shortage of skilled staff". However, the East Midland LA is satisfied that the general maintenance standard of long-distance haulage vehicles has improved considerably during the year.
Mr H. E. Robson. who left the Yorkshire traffic area for the Eastern traffic area, on February 1 1969, reports a reduction in the number of TM certificates issued for containers, 217 as against 321 the previous year. However, certificates for vehicles increased from 169 to 212, indicating that there was a movement from lift on/lift-off to roll-on /roll off operation.
From South Wales, Mr R. R. Jackson reports that there were no appeals against any of his decisions during the year. This is possibly attributable to his policy of requiring a fleet inspection and maintenance report before a carrier's licence was renewed. There were only 49 operators called before him because of unsatisfactory maintenance facilities. This was 20 fewer than in the previous year and about a third of the 1967 total.
From across the Severn, Mr J. R. C. Samuel-Gibbon, the Western LA reports that quarry weighbridge offences reduced dramatically during the year. It is interesting to note that his staff have been scrutinizing cases where weak features in design appear to contribute to mechanical defects. Where this has been the case, the Ministry has advised the manufacturer concerned. This LA also reports that braking components figure high in these investigations.
Maj-Gen A. F. J. Elmslie reports that in the South Eastern area roadside chec were reduced from 138 to 81 due to t demands on the technical staff who we carrying out fleet inspections in preparatit for operators' licensing. Due to t increasing pressure on the area mechanic engineers' organization, detection maintenance offences has decreased.
Mr D. I. R. Muir, the Metropolitan L who is responsible for issuing short-term licences to Continental operators, repo that there was an increase in this aspect licensing despite the fact that there wt bilateral agreements signed during the ye It seems likely that by now this number v have reduced since many more bilaterals t in operation. Mr Muir reports that 30 I cent of the traffic brought into Britain perishable foodstuffs. Yarns and fibi accounted for 13 per cent and househ( furniture and effects for 12 per cent. T rest were general goods. The Metropolit LA makes reference to the acute shortage spares and states that the more responsi operators are compelled to keep th vehicles off the road awaiting replac4tre parts. He points out that this siftiati creates a temptation to those so minded run vehicles in a dangerous condition tatl than lose revenue. Mr Muir says that ; shortage of manpower and materials ta never so bad as that experienced duri Mr A. B. Birnie, Scottish traffic lar says: "I think there is little poi 4t commenting in detail on differences fr( previous years. The picture has increainI been modified by reaction to changes n I licence system in being or to come." Th was a reduction of five per cent prohibition notices issued in the Scott area. Of the 39,000 goods vehicles uni 30cwt unladen which were tested authorized examiners, 15,797 pros unsatisfactory.
Over the entire country, there w 37,157 prohibition notices issued– reduction of 10,500 on the previous ye This is generally attributed to the he goods vehicle testing scheme, the work of maintenance advisory committees and fleet inspections which have been cart out prior to licence renewals.
It seems unfortunate that what co have been a most useful publication latt 1969 should lose much of its value throi publication almost 12 months later. 1968 /69.