Nine council lorries with 113 defects
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• When 113 defects were discovered on nine Bedwelly council lorries in March the vehicles had been continuously engaged for a month in the removal of deep snow drifts, the South Wales LA was told in Cardiff on Wednesday.
The urban council was called to give reason why its C licence covering 16 council vehicles should not be revoked.
Mr. J. H. Chard described how during several inspections by MDT vehicle examiners which began on February 27 and ended on March 27 serious defects led to immediate and delayed prohibition orders being imposed on several vehicles.
At the last inspection on March 27, 113 defects were discovered on nine lorries. Many defects involved worn parts and were concerned with the braking system.
Mr. J. E. Rogers, clerk to the council, who represented his authority, said the council's drivers were given 15 minutes each day to check the possible defects looked for by ordinary motorists. Regular maintenance was carried out by a private contractor and each vehicle was examined quarterly.
"This was probably the worst period of the
winter and followed a very heavy snowfall," said Mr. Rogers. "Even the refuse lorry had been used for carting away the snow which had fallen in 8ft drifts in places. The snow drifts were to be seen in the area a month after the fall; there was no question of taking time for maintenance, the vehicles. were in constant use."
The council had now scrapped two of the vehicles and repaired the rest, he added. It had reviewed its instructions to drivers with regard to daily checks.
The LA, Mr. Ronald Kackson, imposed a six-month suspension in respect of two of the council's tippers.